Saturday February 10, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's Lower House of Parliament approved the country's membership of the East African Community (EAC) following Saturday's parliamentary session in Mogadishu.
The Parliament's endorsement of the agreement clears the path for completing Somalia's membership process within the regional bloc. Somalia officially joined the East African Community (EAC) in November last year, aiming to stimulate economic growth after three decades of war.
The Council of Ministers of the EAC has been assigned the responsibility of submitting the approved agreement to initiate the implementation process, leading to the formal membership of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Somalia's integration into the EAC is a massive step for the Horn of Africa nation, but it did not come easy.
Months of lobbying to join the regional bloc were met by serious questions and hesitation by some member states.
The EAC seeks to enhance its market size and aims to incorporate all countries in the Horn of Africa eventually.
Earlier last year, EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki hinted that Djibouti and Ethiopia would also join the bloc.