Somalia has formally been admitted to the East African Community (EAC), becoming the eighth member state to join the intergovernmental organisation.

This follows the official depositing of the instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Accession. The deposit ceremony took place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, with the EAC Secretary General presiding over it.

The Treaty of Accession was signed by Somalia’s President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud and the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the President of the Republic of South Sudan in Uganda on December 15, 2023.

In a statement on Monday, March 4, EAC said the Federal Republic of Somalia’s instrument of ratification was presented to EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki, by Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, in line with EAC guidelines.

“In line with the EAC Admission Procedure for new members, Dr. Mathuki subsequently pronounced the Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS) as a new member of the Community after receiving the instrument of ratification from the Hon. Abdi,” the statement read in part.

Mathuki indicated that Somalia now has the green light to contribute to the development of a roadmap for her integration into the EAC.

“The roadmap will detail how the Federal Republic of Somalia will implement various EAC Commitments such as the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation,” Mathuki said.

According to the SG, joining the Community will help Somalia to benefit from the EAC’s regional infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and energy networks.

“These projects aim to improve connectivity, enhance transportation links and boost regional trade, ultimately supporting Somalia’s economic development and integration,” he said.

“Somalia boasts the longest national coastline of over 3,000kms in Africa, linking Africa to the Arab Peninsula, which the region can tap into to exploit Somalia’s blue economic resources and increase intra-regional trade and improve the lives of East Africans,” he added.

Abdi, on his part, said his country was eager to contribute to the EAC integration by leveraging on her strategic location and abundant national resources for the benefit of the entire region.

“We recognise the importance of adding value to the Community, enhancing collaboration with our neighbours and promoting regional economic and social development through increased trade, bilateral agreements and joint programmes and projects,” the head of the Somali delegation stated.

“Somalia is ready to play its role as a contributing member of the Community, working hand in hand with each of you so that we have a brighter and more prosperous future for all EAC member states and their citizens.”

Somalia is now expected to elect nine Members of Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and appoint a judge to sit in the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).

Other member states of EAC are Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.