ARUSHA, TANZANIA – Somalia is taking a significant stride towards its full integration into the East African Community (EAC) as its high-level delegation, led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for EAC Affairs, H.E. Ali Mohamed Omar, participates in crucial meetings at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha. The delegation’s presence, which includes Director General Mohamed Isack Ibrahim (Fatiir) and liaison officer Aisha Hirsi, at the 35th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning and the 58th Extraordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers shows the nation’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation and economic development.
The parallel meetings, which commenced on August 31, 2025, and are scheduled to conclude on September 6, 2025, have convened senior officials and ministers from all eight EAC partner states. The gatherings are focused on deliberating key policy and strategic matters vital for fostering sustainable development across the community. Key topics on the agenda include the Draft 7th EAC Development Strategy, the review of the EAC Vision 2050, and efforts to eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade.
H.E. Ali Mohamed Omar’s bilateral meeting with the EAC Secretary General proved to be particularly productive. The discussions centered on several critical areas that are paramount to Somalia’s seamless integration into the bloc. A central point of the conversation was the implementation roadmap for Somalia’s full integration. This roadmap is designed to guide the country through the necessary processes to align its systems and policies with those of the EAC. Another significant topic was the recruitment of Somali citizens into the EAC Secretariat. This initiative aims to ensure that Somalia’s unique perspectives and contributions are embedded within the community’s administrative and operational structures, a move that will further solidify its role within the organization.
The meeting also addressed the technical but crucial issue of aligning Somalia’s standard passport with EAC standards. The process of printing a third-generation passport was a key point of discussion, a step that would facilitate seamless cross-border travel for Somali citizens throughout the EAC. Somalia’s accession to the EAC, which was officially completed on March 4, 2024, has opened up new avenues for trade, investment, and collaboration, leveraging its extensive coastline and strategic location to benefit the entire region.
Somalia’s active participation in these high-level forums is a clear sign of its growing engagement with the EAC and its dedication to reaping the full benefits of regional integration. These meetings serve as a crucial platform for the country to contribute to the collective vision of a prosperous and integrated East Africa.
