Somalia Flag gets hoisted in Arusha as Mogadishu slowly penetrates into the East African Community

The Flag of the Federal Republic of Somalia is being hoisted in Arusha, Tanzania for the first time in history.

This comes as Mogadishu finally deposits the instruments of ratification during the country’s final process of joining the East African Community.

Somalia is depositing the instruments of ratification to the East African Community Secretary General, Dr Peter Mathuki at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha.

The development is due to the fact that the troubled Horn of African country is now inching much closer in its bid to join the Arusha-based regional bloc.

At the moment however, Tanzania is still in the seven-day mourning period following the death of the country’s second phase president, Ali Hassan Mwinyi and all flags are flying at half mast, which means the Somalia colors will also be hosted halfway.

Previously Somalia signed a Treaty of Accession at the Entebbe State House in Uganda in December 2023.

Somalia President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud inked the treaty of accession for the Horn of Africa nation alongside the Chairperson of the Summit of the East African Community’s Heads of State, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the President of the Republic of South Sudan.

The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who hosted the event, graced the signing ceremony.

During their 23rd Ordinary Meeting in Arusha, the Summit of the East African Community Heads of State considered the Report of the EAC Council of Ministers on the Negotiations with the Federal Republic of Somalia into the community, and resolved to admit Mogadishu as a full member of the Community.

The Summit further directed that within six (6) months after the signing of the Treaty of Accession, Somalia shall be required to deposit the instrument of ratification with the EAC Secretary General in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Heads of State also directed the EAC Council of Ministers to develop a roadmap for the integration of Somalia into the Community and report progress to the next meeting of the Summit.

Other Partner States of the EAC which is essentially the fastest integrating bloc in Africa include the Republic of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Also expected to join the regional block anytime soon is Ethiopia and Sudan.