Somalia has officially become the eighth Partner State of the East African Community (EAC), after formalizing its membership by depositing the instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Accession, the EAC Secretariat announced on Saturday.
The ceremony, held in Arusha, marked Somalia’s full integration into the regional bloc, joining other Partner States including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, hailed the occasion as a pivotal moment in the nation’s commitment to regional integration and cooperation. He expressed Somalia’s eagerness to contribute to the East African region’s growth and prosperity through enhanced trade, bilateral agreements, and collaborative initiatives aimed at sustainable development, job creation, and improved livelihoods.
Haji emphasized the significance of Somalia’s ratification as not only a formal agreement but a pledge towards active participation and cooperation within the EAC. “Somalia is ready to embrace its role in the community, working together with fellow member states towards a brighter and more prosperous future,” he stated.
EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki highlighted the benefits of Somalia’s membership, noting the expansion of the community to nearly 350 million people and the inclusion of Somalia’s extensive 3,300-kilometer coastline, which is expected to have substantial economic impacts, particularly in terms of transport and logistics. Mathuki emphasized the potential for the EAC to leverage this addition to enhance competitiveness and engagement on the global stage.
The inclusion of Somalia in the EAC is seen as a significant step towards strengthening regional integration, with potential benefits in economic development and infrastructure improvement across the East African region.
