EAC Court Clears Somali MPs’ Entry into Regional Parliament

By Zamzam Osman - Reporter

Somalia, January 19, 2026 Somalia’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have been cleared to take their seats following a landmark ruling by the East African Community (EAC) Court of Appeal, officials said on Monday.

The appellate court’s decision overturns a previous injunction that had suspended the swearing-in of the nine Somali lawmakers, ending a months-long legal standoff that had stalled Mogadishu’s full integration into the regional bloc.

The original suspension followed a petition by Somali academics and politicians who challenged the legality of the selection process in Mogadishu, alleging corruption and a lack of transparency. In its latest ruling, the Court of Appeal set aside those concerns, affirming the government's appointments.

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"This is a step toward strengthening the rule of law and the supremacy of the law," Ilyas Ali Hassan, Somalia’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, said in a statement. "It reinforces the confidence and integration of Somalia within the EAC. It is a victorious and historic step."

In a separate briefing to state media, the Whip of the House of the People, Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan ‘Nuh’, confirmed that the lawmakers have been cleared to take their oaths and begin their legislative duties.

Somalia officially joined the EAC in early 2024, seeking to bolster trade and security ties with its neighbours. However, its entry has been complicated by internal legal disputes over who should represent the country in the Arusha-based regional parliament.

The nine lawmakers, including former foreign minister Abdisalam Omer and former envoy Zahra Ali Hassan, are now expected to be sworn in shortly, giving Somalia its first formal legislative voice in the eight-nation community.

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EAC Court Clears Somali MPs’ Entry into Regional Parliament

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