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Today marks a significant milestone as the Federal Republic of Somalia is poised to deposit its instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Accession with the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General. This act officially designates Somalia as the eighth partner state within the bloc, solidifying its integration into the regional framework.
A high-level delegation led by Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, for this pivotal occasion. They will deposit the instrument with EAC Secretary General, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mathuki, at the EAC Headquarters, formalizing Somalia’s membership.
This momentous step follows the signing of the Treaty of Accession by Somalia’s President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud and the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, in Entebbe, Uganda, on December 15, 2023. The signing ceremony, witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, marked a significant diplomatic achievement.
According to the EAC Secretariat’s statement, the admission procedure for new members will be followed meticulously. Dr. Mathuki is expected to officially declare the Federal Republic of Somalia as a new member of the Community. Subsequently, Somalia will be formally notified in writing that it has deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Treaty of Accession and is now a full member of the Community, as per Article 153(1) of the EAC Treaty.
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Following this, the Secretary General will deposit the Treaty of Accession with the African Union and the United Nations, signifying Somalia’s commitment to abide by the Treaty, as stipulated in Article 153(2) of the Treaty.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, expressed commendation for the Somalia Government’s prompt fulfillment of the requirements for joining the EAC. Kadaga, through her social media account, extended congratulations to Somalia for its swift integration into the regional bloc.
Somalia’s admission into the EAC in November of the previous year marked a significant expansion of the regional bloc to eight members. However, the formalization of membership was pending until all requirements were met, including the crucial criterion of sharing a border with Kenya.
The East African Community (EAC), established in 1999, is a regional intergovernmental organization guided by its Treaty of 2000. Its mission is to stimulate economic growth by eliminating customs duties among member states and fostering a common market, which was established in 2010.
As one of the fastest-growing regional economic blocs globally, the EAC focuses on enhancing cooperation among Partner States across political, economic, and social spheres for mutual benefit. The current partner states include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and now, Somalia.
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