Wednesday November 13, 2018
Somalia has revived its interest in joining the East African Community (EAC).
newsindeThe Ambassador of Somalia to Tanzania, Mohamed H. Abdi made the request while paying a courtesy call on Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, the Secretary General of the EAC.
Abdi said the “long-term development of each EAC economy was influenced by the success of the regional integration efforts” and that “individual EAC economies are too small to compete effectively in international markets.”
Mfumukeko praised Somalia for their interest in joining EAC.
He assured Amb Abdi that the “process is on course” and the Secretariat will be sending a preliminary team to Somalia later this month to assess the level of readiness of Somalia as the preparation for the verification exercise team which will be constituted by the EAC Council of Ministers.
Somalia continues to grapple with terrorism.
But the restoration of peace in Mogadishu and other areas has given investors hope of a better future.
Article 3 (3) of the EAC Treaty sets out conditions for membership; including adherence to universally acceptable principles of good governance, democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights and social justice.
Others are contribution towards the strengthening of integration within the East African region; geographical proximity to and inter -dependence between it and the Partner States; establishment and maintenance of a market driven economy.
Present at the meeting were the EAC Deputy Secretaries General in charge Planning and Infrastructure as well as Finance and Administration, Engineer Steven Mlote, and that of Productive and Social Sector, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, Counsel to the Community, Dr Anthony L. Kafumbe and other officials from the EAC Secretariat.