Mogadishu (SONNA) – The Federal Government of Somalia recently hosted the heads of the East African Kiswahili Language Commission for a significant three-day meeting in Mogadishu. The event focused on the development of the Swahili language, which plays a vital role in business and trade communication within the East African Community.
Throughout the conference, participants exchanged ideas on strengthening the learning and use of Swahili, an official language spoken by many East African countries. Somalia, which officially joined the East African Community at the end of 2023, demonstrated its commitment to promoting regional cooperation and the use of Swahili.
Ms. Caroline Asimwe, Executive Secretary of the East African Kiswahili Language Commission, provided an overview of her role and the Commission’s objectives. “We are pleased to be here as guests of the Federal Government of Somalia, our newest member of the East African Economic Cooperation. The East African Kiswahili Language Commission works to coordinate the development and use of the Swahili language to strengthen regional integration and sustainable development,” said Ms. Asimwe.
She highlighted the purpose of the visit, which was to raise awareness among the Somali community and promote the global use of Swahili. As one of the official languages of the East African Economic Cooperation Organization, Swahili has been endorsed by the 24th Summit of Heads of State in Arusha. “We also discussed the role of the Commission in promoting Swahili among member states,” Ms. Asimwe added. “The language is essential for trade, job creation, and cross-border movement, significantly contributing to the region’s prosperity.”
Swahili’s international recognition was underscored by UNESCO’s designation of July 7 as International Swahili Day. Ms. Asimwe expressed her eagerness to work closely with the Federal Government of Somalia to enhance the use of this important language, fostering integration and sustainable development across the region.
Asha Ahmed Hirsi, from the East African Community Affairs Office at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also addressed the event. “We are pleased to host the leaders of the East African Economic Cooperation Swahili Language Committee. For three days, we exchanged ideas on the importance of Swahili, which is crucial for business and the integration of people living in East Africa,” Hirsi stated.
She emphasized that the committee’s visit aimed to promote the learning and speaking of Swahili, which is the primary language of the East African Community. “The Swahili language offers many benefits to the Somali community, particularly in work and trade. It plays a major role in businesses across the East African region,” Hirsi noted. “We hope that Somalis will understand the importance of benefiting from the programs of the East African Community.”
Hirsi concluded by thanking government officials and the East African Community for their dedication and commitment to strengthening regional ties. The three-day conference in Mogadishu marked a significant step toward fostering greater integration and cooperation among East African nations through the promotion of the Swahili language.
