The Federal Republic of Somalia inched closer to joining the seven-member East African Community with the Horn of Africa nation signing the Treaty of Accession with the bloc at State House, Entebbe, Uganda on Friday, December 15.

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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, who is also the President of South Sudan.

Kiir noted that Somalia’s entry was "a major boost” to the regional integration agenda.

He said: "Somalia is joining a regional economic bloc that has recorded major achievements in all its four pillars of integration.”

Mohamud said the day was "a moment of immense pride as we celebrate” the entry of his country into the bloc. He said his country’s membership is a beacon of hope for a future filled with possibilities.

He said: "Our mission is clear; strengthen friendship, contribute to prosperity, and actively shape a brighter future for the population of this Community. Somalia’s membership is not just timely but natural in enhancing the bloc’s trade and investment potentiality.

"Somalia’s strategic significance will elevate the Community’s global reverence and strategic importance.”

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The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, one of the founders of the EAC in 1999. Museveni is the only sitting President who was around as the bloc was revived in November 1999, when the Treaty for its re-establishment was signed. He highlighted "the logic” for the establishment of EAC in the past, listing "three points” – prosperity for people in the region, strategic security, and regional people’s similarity.

He said: "I am glad now the East African Community is re-assembling.”

Also in attendance, on Friday, was EAC Secretary General, Peter Mutuku Mathuki, among other dignitaries.

After signing the Treaty of Accession with the bloc, Mathuki explained that Somalia has six months to undertake internal processes including ratification of the EAC Treaty, upon which it can start undertaking in all activities and programmes of the regional bloc including having lawmakers in the regional Assembly, sending a judge in the regional Court, EACJ, and having a defence liaison officer permanently based at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, among others.

Within six months after the signing of the Treaty of Accession, Somalia shall also be required to deposit the instrument of ratification with the Secretary General.

The EAC Summit on November 24 considered the report of the EAC Council of Ministers on the negotiations with Somalia into the EAC, and resolved to admit Somalia as a full member of the Community.

At the time, the November Summit further designated the new EAC Summit Chairperson, President Kiir, to agree with Somalia on when to sign the Treaty of Accession of Somalia into the Community.