Somalia makes strides towards joining EAC

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia, Planning, Investment and Economic Development minster Mohamud A. Sheikh Faarah has said that Somalia has made progress in its bid to join the East African Community (EAC) under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Hamza.

He added that Somalia’s admission to the EAC will avail the longest coastline in Africa to the bloc, while connecting the Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade routes to the bloc.

“This move will foster regional integration and provide numerous trade opportunities, benefitting the entire region,” he said.

The regional bloc has been working on efforts to expand its membership in order to raise volumes of trade within itself as well as with other blocs.

“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,” Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community Rebecca Miano said.

“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,” she added.

Eager to join

The Federal Government of Somalia has been working on the plans to join the regional bloc which according to Minister Farah would be an excellent opportunity to take the integration process in East Africa to a new level, adding that Somalia country is eager to join their brothers and sisters in Africa’s fastest integrating bloc.

He further noted 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.