Somalia deposits its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the East African Community

Somalia deposits its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the East African Community

 Somalia is set to formalize its membership in the East African Community (EAC) by depositing its instrument of ratification with EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki in Arusha, Tanzania on Monday.

The bloc's secretariat indicated on Sunday that this achievement represents the culmination of Somalia's journey towards full membership in the regional bloc. The accession process began on December 16 when Somalia officially joined the East African Community after President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud signed the accession treaty.

The historic ceremony was held at the presidential headquarters in Entebbe, Uganda, in the presence of President Mahmoud, his counterpart from South Sudan, Salva Kiruho, the current president of the East African Community, and other prominent figures.

Somalia became the eighth member of the EAC after signing the bloc's treaty in December 2023. The approval of Somalia's application by the EAC Heads of State summit on November 24 paved the way for its accession to the group.