President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed Somalia into the East African Community, hailing the move as a significant boost to the regional bloc’s efforts to ensure the prosperity and strategic security of its people.
Speaking as a witness at the signing ceremony of the accession treaty by the Federal Republic of Somalia at State House Entebbe, H.E. Museveni reiterated the importance of strategic security in the East African integration. He questioned the ability of individual countries like Uganda to secure themselves globally, emphasizing the need for collective security efforts.
Accession is the act whereby a state accepts the offer or opportunity to become a party to a treaty already negotiated and signed by other states.
Present at the ceremony were H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chair of the EAC Summit of Heads of State.
Somalia’s admission to the East African Community was approved last month during the 23rd ordinary summit of the heads of state held on November 24, 2023, in Arusha, Tanzania, making it the eighth member of the bloc.
President Museveni disclosed that Somalia had expressed interest in joining the East African Community since 1968 through Prime Minister Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal. However, regional instabilities at that time hindered the process. He welcomed Somalia to Uganda, emphasizing that the country was already a part of the community, and the accession ceremony was a formality.
President Museveni highlighted the importance of integration in achieving sustainable prosperity through the production and sale of goods and services. He emphasized the need for more buyers to enhance prosperity, citing the example of the United States and Latin America.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed gratitude for Somalia’s admission, considering it a realization of collective aspirations and a beacon of hope for the future. He thanked member countries and the EAC Secretariat for their support throughout the accession process.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit welcomed Somalia into the community, emphasizing the commitment of both Somalia and the East African Community to African unity for mutual benefit.
Dr. Peter Mathuki, the EAC Secretary-General, saluted member states for their commitment and urged the Heads of State to deepen regional integration for the community’s functionality. He reiterated the importance of a common East African currency to facilitate trade in the region.
