Arusha, Tanzania – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has arrived in Arusha to attend a summit of the East African Community (EAC), expressing his hope to secure Somalia’s membership in the regional bloc. Somalia submitted its application to join the EAC in 2016, seeking to bolster its economic and social development through regional integration.
According to Somali National News Agency, Somalia’s participation in the EAC summit is a strategic step towards realizing this goal. He emphasized Somalia’s progress in restoring peace, security, and governance, highlighting the country’s natural resources and economic potential as beneficial assets for the EAC region. The President urged the leaders of the EAC, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, to expedite the review process of Somalia’s application.
In his address, President Mohamud stressed the importance of cooperation and integration for the future of Horn of Africa countries, affirming Somalia’s readiness to contribute to the EAC’s goals. The EAC, established in 2000, aims to foster a common market, customs union, monetary union, and ultimately a political federation among its members. With a collective population of about 177 million and a gross domestic product of $193 billion, the EAC represents a significant economic force in the region.