The Economic Community of Central African States (French: Communaute Economique des Eats de l'Afrique Centrale, CEEAC) was created by the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa to promote regional economic cooperation, eliminate trade restrictions, and establish a Central African Common Market. Members include: Burundi, the Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, and Zaire. The Community was established in 1983 (became operational in 1985); headquarters are in Libreville, Gabon.