Nairobi, August 22nd, 2023 – The much-anticipated negotiations for Somalia’s potential membership in the East African Community (EAC) commenced on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment for regional cooperation. If successful, Somalia will become the eighth member of the EAC, joining the ranks of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scheduled to extend until September 5th, 2023, these negotiations hold substantial significance for Somalia’s new leadership.
The genesis of Somalia’s candidacy dates back to 2012, spanning over a decade. However, it wasn’t until January 2023 that the EAC finally dispatched an assessment mission to Mogadishu. The resultant report from this mission paved the way for the ongoing negotiations, which commenced on August 22, 2023. This occasion marks a significant milestone for Somalia’s freshly inaugurated president.
Central to the discussions is the examination of the alignment between Somali legislation and that of the regional nations, as well as the EAC treaty. The scope encompasses not only trade-related matters but also institutional compatibility. Just last week, the EAC’s Secretary-General expressed optimism about Somalia’s potential accession to the organization by year-end.
Should this come to fruition, Somalia’s 3,000-kilometer coastline, which opens to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, will confer exclusive access for neighboring countries to the commercial markets of the Arabian Peninsula.
Security forms another salient aspect of this endeavor. Several EAC nations are already engaged in anti-insurgent operations within Somalia to counter extremist groups like Al-Shabaab. The inclusion of Somalia would fortify regional cooperation, especially concerning intelligence-sharing. This enhancement arrives at a pivotal juncture, as the withdrawal of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is currently underway, signaling a transition in peacekeeping responsibilities.