Somalia’s EAC Membership Receives Praise: Recognizing its Potential Contribution

Somalia’s entry into the EAC would play a vital role in Somalia’s state-building efforts, economic growth, trade partnerships, infrastructural development, regional peace, and security, promoting intergovernmental relations and maritime access.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urged the Somali people to be prepared for engagement with a community of 300 million people from the countries of the East African Community, which now includes eight countries following Somalia’s accession.

“Let the Somali people be prepared to engage with a community of 300 million individuals. This market spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea; otherwise, we stand to miss out on the benefits,” President Hassan said.

He added, “Our membership in the regional bloc will give us opportunities to expand our market, considering our natural resources, including the maritime economy, as well as giving other countries the opportunity to benefit from our resources.”

In a statement, the Kenyan Presidency (Statehouse) underscored the importance of Somalia’s membership in the region, considering access to the blue economy through the longest coastline in Africa.

“Somalia’s entry into the Community presents an opportunity to the region to further integrate, expanding opportunities to the people. The move will boost connectivity, enhance trade and accelerate Somalia’s transformation plan,” reads the statement from the Kenyan presidency.

EAC’s Contribution to Somalia’s Peace and State-building Efforts

Somalia, once a stable government with military power, peaceful and secure, collapsed in 1991, leading to civil war.

This resulted in the formation of terrorist groups and tribal functions and widespread destruction of essential government institutions that served the nation.

Over the past three decades, Somalia has been taking necessary efforts aimed at rebuilding a stable government and revitalizing its government institutions such as defense, security, and finance.

Since 2006, Somalia has been grappling with security threats posed by Al-Shabaab terrorist that became a threat not only to Somalia but its neighbouring countries.

The Federal government has already enjoyed the positive contribution of the regional bloc and the African Union in its peacekeeping mission through the African Union Mission in Somalia (now ATMIS) for the past 15 years with the approval of the UN Security Council.

The East African Community provided the majority of the troops in ATMIS, with its member states such as Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi among the troop-contributing countries.

Somalia has recently increased its regional presence by actively engaging in regional affairs and pursuing membership in regional blocs.

In July, the Federal Government of Somalia officially joined the Great Green Wall Initiative with a launching event held in Mogadishu.