NAIROBI DEC 1 – Somalia’s official entry to the East African Community (EAC) is coming with goodies and burden in similar measure. Her entry increases EAC countries to eight, joining Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan.
Somalia is one of the biggest countries in EAC covering 637,540 square kilometers and has the longest coastline in the entire Horn of Africa. This coastline will be vital in boosting international trade in EAC through water transport topping up Kenya’s and Tanzania’s coastlines.
Speaking during the 23th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of States in Arusha, Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Muhamud said that Somalia is not just joining a regional block but a family of nations. He expressed hope that his country’s membership in EAC will be a net positive to them. Somalia began its bid to join EAC in 2012 and a decade later, she finally gets inducted to EAC.
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“Our journey to this day has been one of resilience, perseverance and enduring believe in the power of regional unity and cooperation. As Somalia joins the East African Community we are not merely entering a regional block, but we are joining a family of nations,” President Muhamud said on 24th of November.
Impact on EAC economy
On the economic front, Somalia provides more markets for goods produced in EAC as it has more than 17 million people. This increases EAC’s population to 300 million. It also extends the free trade area.
President of Kenya, William Ruto affirmed that EAC is the “most integrated and progressive economic community in the continent.” Thus Somalia will benefit with her integration to EAC block.
Setbacks
However, Mogadishu still have myriad of challenges that might hinder the full opening of EAC borders due to much presence of terror group – Al Shabaab in Somalia. The Al-Qaeda-affiliate terror group have been waging insurgency on Mogadishu government for 16 years, a move which has destabilized Somalia.
On May 2023, Kenya had announced a delay in opening of Somalia border points citing security threats posed by Al Shabaab. This is one of those challenges that still threatens Somalia.
With the climate crisis skyrocketing, Somalia is not left behind with many people in need of humanitarian support. Additionally, 80% of Somalia’s land is arid and semi-arid which has been worsened by climate change. Thus the question, Will Somalia’s integration to EAC be a shot in the arm?
