Somalia is on the verge of joining the East African Community (EAC), a move that has generated mixed reactions due to the ongoing civil conflict in the country. In a public statement issued on Friday, Somalia announced that the presidents of the seven EAC countries had signed off on the verification report, paving the way for its admission into the bloc.
While Somalia’s membership in the EAC offers benefits such as increased intra-regional trade and enhanced connectivity between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula through its long coastline, there are fears that the country’s insecurity could spill over to other member states.
A verification team composed of experts from the EAC Partner States visited Somalia from January 25 to February 3, 2023, to assess the country’s adherence to the criteria for admitting foreign nations into the EAC. The team reviewed Somalia’s institutional and legal frameworks, policies, strategies, and programs, as well as its areas of cooperation with the EAC. It also evaluated Somalia’s development strategies in key collaborative areas, including infrastructure, energy, education and science, peace and security, and international cooperation.
With the adoption of the verification report by the EAC Heads of State, the Council of Ministers is now expected to initiate negotiations with Somalia for its admission into the bloc. Somalia warmly welcomed the adoption of the report, expressing its commitment to becoming a valuable addition to the EAC and contributing to regional integration and prosperity.
If admitted, Somalia would become the eighth member of the EAC, with a population of 17 million people. Somalia hopes that its membership will facilitate the exploitation of its blue economy and enhance the movement of goods, services, and people within the region. However, some EAC member states, including Tanzania and Burundi, have expressed concerns about Somalia’s admission, particularly regarding immigration issues and the free movement of persons.
While Somalia has faced sporadic attacks by the terrorist group Al Shabaab, the country has been relatively peaceful, thanks in part to the peacekeeping efforts of EAC member states through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Somalia shares a border with Kenya, which fulfills one of the requirements for EAC membership. However, the country must also demonstrate strong democratic institutions.
Critics argue that Somalia’s application should be rejected due to its volatile security situation and sporadic conflicts with Al Shabaab. The Somali government, on the other hand, insists that it has been working to improve the country’s security.
The increasing influence of the Somali community in Kenya and other EAC member states, fueled by remittances from the diaspora, has further strengthened the ties between Somalia and the region.
Ultimately, the decision to admit Somalia to the EAC will depend on negotiations and the assessment of its adherence to the bloc’s criteria.
