Hope for Somalia as it joins East Africa trade block

After three decades of war and years of grappling with Economic crisis, Somalia has joined the East African Community (EAC).

Somalia was admitted on Friday into the EAC as the eighth member of the bloc.

In a move to boost its economy, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the decision offers “hope for a future of opportunities and prosperity”.

Somalia’s Minister of Information, Daud Aweis said it would give the country opportunities to partner with the international community.

According to BBC, negotiations between the EAC and Somalia began in August hosted by the Kenyan government.

The decision to admit Somalia was made after a meeting of heads of member states in Arusha, Tanzania.

The East African Community is aiming to expand its market size as it hopes to integrate all countries in the Horn of Africa.

Earlier this year, EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki hinted that Djibouti and Ethiopia would also join the bloc.

The Democratic Republic of Congo joined in March 2022.

Before now, the EAC consists of seven countries: Burundi, the DR Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.

SOURCE: FRCN