ARUSHA, TANZANIA: THE Federal Republic of Somalia on Friday signed the Treaty of
Accession in its zeal of joining the East African Community (EAC).The Treaty of Accession was signed by Somalia’s President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud and the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the President of the Republic of South Sudan.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Also in attendance was the EAC Secretary General, Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki, among other dignitaries.
President Mohamud welcomed and appreciated the decision of the summit to admit the federal Republic of Somalia into the East African Community and reiterated that the federal Republic of Somalia’s admission into the bloc marked a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policies.
President Kiir and President Mohamud thanked the host, President Museveni for the warm and cordial hospitality extended to them and their respective delegations during their stay in Entebbe, Uganda. President Salvar Kiir emphasised the directive of the 23rd summit to the council to develop a roadmap for the integration of the federal Republic of Somalia into the community and report progress to the next summit.
The Summit of EAC Heads of State at their 23rd Ordinary Meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania last month, considered the Report of the EAC Council of Ministers on the Negotiations with the Federal Republic of Somalia into the EAC, and resolved to admit Somalia as a full member of the Community.
The Summit further designated the Chairperson of the Summit, to agree with Somalia on when to sign the Treaty of Accession of Somalia into the Community.
The Summit further directed that within six months after the signing of the Treaty of Accession, Somalia shall be required to deposit the instrument of ratification with the Secretary General.
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 in Africa’s fastest integrating bloc are 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.
Somalia first expressed interest of joining the EAC in 2012, but was turned down due to its internal troubles with Al-Shabaab and lack of a stable legal and political environment at the time.
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