Somalia has deposited
its roadmap of fully integrating into the East African Community, signalling an
extra market for the region of close to 20 million people when the process is
completed.
The roadmap presented on
Monday in Nairobi specifies timelines within which the Horn of Africa country
will implement the required policies and harmonise its laws to enable it to
join the region’s customs union and common market protocols.
“Today’s meeting
signifies a critical milestone in this journey, aligning Somalia’s national
processes with regional frameworks to ensure comprehensive integration,” EAC
Secretary-General Veronica Nduva said.
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“The roadmap outlines
essential activities categorised into national and community-oriented
initiatives. These include aligning Somalia's legal framework with established
regional standards and ensuring robust participation in EAC programmes and
activities” she added.
While the actual
timelines agreed in the meeting were not disclosed, the Somali delegation
exuded confidence in their commitment to fully integrate into the community
soon.
“We are dedicated
to working closely with all stakeholders towards a brighter and more prosperous
future for all EAC member states and their citizens,” said Abdusalam Omer,
Somalia’s presidential envoy for EAC, who led talks into joining the bloc last
year.
Only five of the eight member countries in the
regional bloc have been able to fully integrate, meaning they can freely trade
with one another after harmonising their laws.
Somalia was admitted into the bloc by the Heads
of State Summit in November and became a full member in March this year after
depositing its instruments of membership and assenting to the regional treaty.