Africa (Commonwealth) _ On Friday, the Federal Republic of Somalia signed the Treaty of Accession, thereby becoming a member of the East African Community (EAC). This momentous occasion, which took place at State House in Entebbe, Uganda, represents a major step toward improved trade and economic prospects for Somalia and the whole East African area.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, who is also the chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, and President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud of Somalia signed the agreement. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the president of Uganda, was present at the ceremony along with other dignitaries, underscoring the event’s regional importance.
According to a statement from his office, President Kiir emphasized the need for peace and security in the area in order to achieve sustainable development, highlighting the connection between regional cooperation and economic growth.
In his speech, President Mohamud voiced hope for the benefits of entering the EAC. He said that the country will benefit from the economic and commercial integration of East African nations, which will increase commerce within the area.
Following their directive at their meeting in November 2023, the EAC Heads of State ordered Somalia to submit the ratification document within six months after the treaty’s signature. This led to Somalia’s admission. This official move opens the door for Somalia to fully join the EAC with its member countries, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan.
It is anticipated that Somalia’s membership in the EAC will have several advantages. Somali enterprises will be able to access new markets and experience economic development as a result of increased commerce inside the bloc.
Seven East African nations make up the East African Community (EAC), an international organization. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, the republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda are the member nations. The current chairman of the EAC is South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit. The organization was established in 1967, went out of business in 1977, and then came back on July 7, 2000.
Following discussions with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Association of the African (EAC) consented to an extended free trade area in 2008 that would encompass the member nations of all three organizations. An essential component of the African Economic Community is the EAC.
In March 2012, Somali representatives submitted an application to become members of the EAC. In December 2012, the EAC Heads of State gave their application some thought and asked that the EAC Council collaborate with Somalia to validate it. The EAC discussed the issue once more in February 2015, but postponed making a decision since neither verification nor definitive arrangements with the Somalian administration had been completed.
The EAC Heads of State stated during the 22nd Ordinary Heads of State Summit on July 22, 2022, that Somalia’s membership in the community requires completion of the verification procedure as soon as possible. With admission talks scheduled to take place from August 22 to September 5, 2023, Somalia has taken a significant step toward becoming the eighth member of the East African Community (EAC), according to Secretary-General Peter Mathuki of the EAC.
Following a five-hour closed-door discussion, Somalia was formally invited to join the bloc as a full member on November 24, 2023, during the 23rd regular summit of the head of state. On December 15, 2023, the treaty of accession was signed in the presidential mansion in Kampala, Uganda. Somalia has six months to finish ratifying the pact.
