Dar Es Salam, SONNA – The Federal Government of Somalia has officially received authorization to issue the East African Community (EAC) passport, marking a significant milestone in the country’s regional integration efforts and diplomatic engagement within the bloc.
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United Republic of Tanzania and Permanent Representative of Somalia to the East African Community (EAC), Ambassador Ilyas Ali Hassan, formally handed over the official decision to the Minister of Internal Security, General Abdulahi Sheikh Ismail “Fartaag,” and the Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), Mustafa Sheikh Ahmed Dhuhulow.
The decision authorizes the Government of Somalia to issue the EAC passport and confirms approval of its official design and security features. The authorization enables the Federal Republic of Somalia to formally begin issuing the East African Community passport, effective from December 2025.
The handover signifies Somalia’s continued alignment with EAC standards and frameworks, including harmonized travel documentation aimed at facilitating mobility across member states.
The development comes at a time when the Governments of Somalia and Tanzania signed a bilateral agreement, further consolidating cooperation between the two nations.
Somalia’s authorization to issue the EAC passport represents an important diplomatic achievement and reinforces the country’s commitment to deeper regional integration. The EAC passport facilitates the movement of citizens within member states, promotes trade and economic collaboration, and strengthens people-to-people ties across the region.
As Somalia continues to implement its obligations as a member of the East African Community, the issuance of the EAC passport stands as a tangible step toward enhancing connectivity, mobility, and shared prosperity within the bloc.
