The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, to attend the summit of the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc of six countries. He is hoping to convince the EAC leaders to accept Somalia’s application to join the group, which was submitted in 2016.
Somalia, which has been recovering from decades of civil war and instability, sees its integration with the EAC as a way to boost its economic and social development. President Mohamud told the summit that Somalia has made significant progress and achievements in restoring peace, security and governance, and that it has abundant natural resources and economic opportunities that can benefit the region.
He also reminded the EAC leaders of the long delay in processing Somalia’s request, and urged them to make a positive decision. He said that the future of the Horn of Africa countries lies in their cooperation and integration, and that Somalia is ready to play its role in the regional integration process.
The EAC, which was established in 2000, comprises Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It aims to create a common market, a customs union, a monetary union and ultimately a political federation. The EAC has a combined population of about 177 million people and a gross domestic product of about $193 billion.
