Mogadishu Hosts East African Civil Society Conference as Somalia Strengthens Regional Ties

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Mogadishu is preparing to welcome civil society leaders from across East Africa for a regional conference aimed at strengthening cooperation and expanding the role of community organisations in shaping the region’s development agenda, as Somalia deepens its engagement with the East African Community (EAC).

The third East African Civil Society Organisations Conference, EACCON 2026, is expected to open shortly in the Somali capital, bringing together senior government officials, Somali civil society representatives and delegates from other EAC member states.

The gathering will focus on regional cooperation, economic and social development, and ways to give civil society organisations a stronger voice in regional initiatives. Participants are expected to exchange experiences and explore opportunities for closer collaboration on challenges affecting communities across East Africa.

Hosting the conference marks another step in Somalia’s participation in the EAC, which it formally joined in 2024, becoming the bloc’s eighth member. Its membership has opened opportunities for greater regional engagement, particularly in trade, economic integration and cooperation on social and development issues.

Civil society organisations play an important role in connecting regional policies with the needs of local communities, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, livelihoods and public participation. The Mogadishu gathering is expected to provide a platform for organisations from different member states to strengthen networks and identify areas where joint initiatives could support regional development.

The EAC comprises Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The regional bloc is working toward deeper economic integration and cooperation among its members, with civil society participation forming part of broader efforts to make regional development more inclusive.

The conference comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen its regional partnerships and expand its involvement in East African institutions, giving local organisations an opportunity to build relationships with counterparts across the region.

The meeting is expected to explore how stronger cooperation among civil society groups can support the EAC’s development objectives while ensuring that the benefits of regional integration reach communities throughout its member states.