For more than a decade now Somalia has tried to enter the East African community. With the recent accession on the 24thof November 2023 marks a pivotal moment for the country. The East African Community is one the fastest growing regional bloc in Africa that was founded in 1999.This joining will be critical in helping Somalia’s economy recover and providing assistance following thirty years of conflict.
In August, talks began between Somalia and the EAC facilitated by the Kenyan government. The president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud confirmed the commitment of his country supported by the members’ states on how they deal with the matters such as the conflicts that have been going on and the control of the jihadist group Al Shabab.
The welcoming of Somalia to the regional bloc signals the commitment of EAC towards helping its neighbours from fragility. Also, in case Somalia makes positive changes, such a phenomenon may leave long-term effects across other conflict sites globally. However, it will ignite a new wave of East African hope that prosperity would bloom once again in Mogadishu.
Somalia’s integration to EAC will lead to an effort to expand EAC’s market size, this gives a bright prospect for the economy. The wide coastal line of Somalia and the anticipated marine business such as fishing greatly contributed to the decision-making process. The move adds more weight to economic relations between member states hence making the EAC stronger and a formidable force in the horn of Africa. For instance, some will argue that extra time has to be dedicated towards the negotiation issue because of the immense Somali complexities attached to it, but I believe this was the right time for the joining of the country in the regional bloc. The EAC should take great care dealing with issues surrounding governance, security, and economic stability as a challenge of inheriting problems after Somalia.
Despite the economic promises, there are several challenges that threaten Somalia’s economic promises in the EAC. Some of the member states are worried by the nation’s chronic instability demonstrated in the ongoing rebel al Shabab attacks. However, this mobility may act as a way for militants and illegal goods to move within the region creating security concerns. Finally, the problems of governance, democracy, human rights that are summarized through Somalia being ranked the most corrupt country in the world raise apprehension regarding its ability to subscribe to the core elements of EAC. Some member states expressed their doubt towards the protracted negotiation procedures that characterized Somalia’s integration process.
However, progressive integration seems reasonable today. The important role played by Kenyan and Ethiopian military participation, which forms an effective security component for peaceful EAC development packages ought to focus on visibly improving human security with accountability measures to guarantee good implementation of governance reforms to gain public approval. What is important at this stage are long-term investment strategies like grass-root reconciliations for peace, job creation especially for the youths and deconstruction of negative thoughts especially on religion and politics.
In conclusion, the integration of Somalia into the EAC is an interesting journey with great challenges but also an opportunity for economic rejuvenation. This step shows that the EAC is serious in the idea of uniting and sharing the same market in the region. Nevertheless, going forward entails cautious consideration of security difficulties, governance matters as well Somali domestic intricacies. Success of this integration will depend on an appropriately coordinated effort towards promoting sustainable economic development and peace in the horn region of Africa.
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations
References
Sheikh, A. (2023, November 24). Somalia joins East Africa Trade Bloc as it eyes new opportunities. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somalia-joins-east-africa-trade-bloc-it-eyes-new-opportunities-2023-11-24/
Wafula, I. (2023, November 24). Somalia joins East African Community. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67522844
