Somalia has officially joined the East African Community (EAC), a regional trade bloc that comprises eight countries and nearly 300 million people. The move is expected to boost Somalia’s war-torn economy and open new doors for progress and partnership.
The EAC was established in 2010 to promote the free movement of goods, services, people and capital among its members. It also aims to foster economic development, industrial diversification and regional stability. The EAC is one of the most advanced trading blocs on the continent, with a customs union, a common market and plans for a monetary union and a political federation.
Somalia had sought to join the EAC for years, but faced resistance from some countries due to its chronic insecurity and political instability. The country has been plagued by a violent insurgency from the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group since 2006, which has hampered its reconstruction and development efforts.
However, Somalia has made significant progress in recent years, with the formation of a federal government, the holding of elections, the strengthening of security forces and the resumption of diplomatic relations with several countries. Somalia also has a vibrant private sector, a large diaspora and a long coastline that offers potential for offshore resources and maritime trade.
The EAC leaders welcomed Somalia’s admission at their summit on Friday, saying it would enhance the bloc’s integration and cooperation. They also commended Somalia for its reforms and achievements, and pledged to support its peace and state-building process.
Somalia’s Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Daud Aweis, expressed his gratitude and optimism on X, formerly Twitter. “Somalia officially joins the East African Community, reinforcing ties and opening new doors for progress and partnership,” he wrote.
Somalia’s entry into the EAC comes at a time when the bloc is facing some challenges, such as trade disputes, political tensions, infrastructure gaps and the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The EAC leaders agreed to address these issues and reaffirmed their commitment to the bloc’s vision and objectives.
The EAC now consists of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia. The bloc covers a total area of 2.5 million square kilometers and has a combined gross domestic product of $193 billion. The EAC also has observer status at the United Nations and the African Union.
