In a historic development, Somalia has been formally admitted as the eighth member of the East African Community (EAC) on Friday, November 24, 2023, marking a significant milestone for the region. The decision was made during the 23rd ordinary summit of the heads of state held in Arusha, Tanzania, following almost a year of intricate negotiations.
The approval for Mogadishu’s inclusion in the bloc was announced by the outgoing chairperson, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, after an extensive closed-door meeting lasting more than five hours. This comes just over a year after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) joined the EAC, solidifying the bloc's commitment to regional integration.
Somalia's journey to EAC membership faced obstacles in the past. Initially expressing interest in joining the community in 2012, Somalia's bid was rejected due to internal challenges with Al Shabaab and an unstable legal and political environment. However, with the recent admissions of South Sudan in 2016 and the DRC in 2022, Somalia's aspirations were rekindled.
President Mohamud, who had initially spearheaded Somalia's bid in 2012, renewed the efforts upon his return to office. A verification mission was dispatched in January of this year to assess Somalia's readiness to join the EAC. Subsequent negotiations in August paved the way for a comprehensive report, which was discussed by the council of ministers before being presented at the heads of state summit.
Somalia's accession to the EAC not only signifies a diplomatic triumph for the nation but also opens the door for neighboring countries Eritrea and Djibouti. The EAC's broader expansion plan aims to include the entire Horn of Africa, encompassing Ethiopia and potentially Sudan. The decision to admit Somalia reflects the EAC's commitment to regional cooperation and economic integration, fostering stability and collaboration in the East African region.
