Negotiations to Admit Somalia into EAC Kick off in Kenya

Negotiations between the East African Community (EAC) and Somalia for the entry of Somalia into the EAC began in earnest in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday. The nine-day negotiations have brought together experts from the seven EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly and East African Court of Justice, and their counterparts from the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Speaking at the opening of the negotiations at the Main Campus of the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Nairobi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, Rebecca Miano, said that negotiations between the EAC and Somalia were being held in accordance with a directive by the 22^nd Extraordinary Summit to the Secretariat and the Council to commence negotiations with Somalia.

“These negotiations between EAC and Somalia are therefore being held in accordance with the directive of the Summit and the relevant legal framework of the Community. The negotiations are expected to focus on, among others, the following clusters: Political, Legal and Institutional; Infrastructure, Productive and Social Sectors; and Economic and Trade Affairs," she said.

Miano said that the EAC was keen on an expanded and vibrant bloc, with high volumes of trade within itself as well as with other blocs.

“This, primarily, is because we intend to create wealth and prosperity for our people. A big and expanded market that the admission of Somalia will usher in will be a major boost for the private sector, itself a great milestone in the integration process,” said the CS.

“The Community is already contributing to peace and security in Somalia with Partner States providing troops as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia. The people of the rest of East Africa are eager to welcome their brothers and sisters from Somalia into the Community.”

In his remarks, Somalia’s Minister for Planning, Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah, said the entry of Somalia into the EAC would be an excellent opportunity to take the integration process in East Africa to a new level, adding that his country was eager to join their brothers and sisters in Africa’s fastest integrating bloc.

Farah said that Somalia being part of the bloc would help to address the security challenges in the Horn of Africa, adding that the country’s entry into EAC would come with many benefits including a bigger market for goods produced in the region, improved infrastructure and investment opportunities.

He said that Somalia has many things to offer the bloc including a huge youthful population, vast natural resources and agricultural potential.  

Speaking at the event, EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mathuki said that joining the community would enable Somalia to benefit from the EAC's regional infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and energy networks.

“These projects aim to improve connectivity, enhance transportation links, and boost regional trade, ultimately supporting Somalia's economic development and integration,” said Dr. Mathuki.

“Somalia has the longest national coastline of over 3000km in Africa, linking Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, which the region can tap into to increase intra-regional trade and improve the lives of East Africans,” he added.  

The Secretary General said that the coastline would bring immense benefits for the EAC through the exploitation of Somalia’s blue economy resources such as fish.

Dr. Mathuki said that during the negotiations this week, the EAC Team would highlight to the Somali delegation, the benefits, obligations and commitments of Partner States under the Treaty which will be the basis for the negotiations in good faith by both Teams.

“The negotiations will also provide clarifications to both Teams on matters that were identified during the verifications exercise. I am very optimistic that at the end of this exercise, we will have a clear report for presentation to the next Summit for consideration,” he added.

Dr. Mathuki said that the Heads of State would then make a decision on whether to admit Somalia into the Community.

“Somalia has the longest national coastline of over 3,000 kms in Africa, linking Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, which the region will tap into to increase intra-regional trade,” he added.

The EAC verification mission is being chaired by Tiri Marie Rose from Burundi while Dr. Adbusalam Omer, Special Envoy of Somalia, is the Lead Negotiator for Somalia. Also present at the event was Somalia’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Abdisalam Sharif, among other dignitaries.