NAIROBI: Somalia was formally admitted into the East African Community (EAC) on Friday, becoming the eighth member of the bloc. The move aims to bolster free trade initiatives across the region, enhancing economic cooperation and regional integration.
The East African Community, established in 2000 and headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, has been working to facilitate trade by eliminating customs duties among member states. With Somalia’s accession, the EAC market now encompasses more than 300 million people.
During the summit in Tanzania, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the outgoing EAC chair, officially announced Somalia’s inclusion. The current EAC membership includes Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Somalia President Expresses Optimism About Admission Into EAC
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, present at the summit, expressed optimism about the country’s admission into the EAC. His chief economic adviser, in a statement on social media, described the moment as a “culmination of our aspirations” and a “beacon of hope for a future full of possibilities and opportunities.”
The admission of Somalia to the EAC reflects the country’s efforts to strengthen regional ties and economic collaboration.
