Somalia joins East African Community

By Peter Ochieng

Somalia was on Friday formally admitted to the East African Community (EAC).

It becomes the 8th member state in the regional bloc, alongside Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.

The admission followed the Friday decision by the 23rd Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania.

The meeting was held after the EAC high-level forum on climate change and Food Security, addressed by among others president William Ruto. Ruto said innovative and sustainable measures must be devised to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“If there is one thing we should achieve at COP28 is climate financing through climate investment,” he said.

The Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State saw President Salva Kiir elevated to the Chairperson of the Summit. He takes over from his Burundi counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye whose tenure has come to a close.

Somalia’s entry into the Community is a product of negotiations as directed by the 22nd Extraordinary Summit.

It 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.

The Somalia coastline — among the longest in Africa — presents massive blue economy resources such as fish to EAC.