The East African Community (EAC) officially launched the verification mission to assess the readiness of the Federal Republic of Somalia to join the regional bloc on Wednesday.
Senior officials from the EAC member states chaired by Ms Tiri Marie Rose will assess Somalia’s readiness to be part of the EAC from January 25 to February 3, 2023.
The team will evaluate Somalia’s development strategies and plans in key areas such as infrastructure, energy, education and science, peace and security, and international cooperation.
The EAC officials will also examine Somalia’s legal status and determine whether the country is ready to join the EAC Customs Union, Common Market Protocol, Monetary Union, and ongoing political confederation constitutional framework.
During the official launch, EAC Secretary-General Peter Mathuki stated that the technical team in Mogadishu would work with Somalia to ensure the verification was completed.
A report is to be ready for presentation to the EAC Council of Ministers, who will table it for consideration by the 23rd Summit of EAC Heads of State, which is scheduled for the end of February.
The verification team is set to make findings relating to the institutional frameworks in place; legal frameworks; policies, strategies, projects and programmes; areas of Cooperation with other EAC Partner States and expectations from its membership.
EAC Secretary General – Peter Mathuki
Following the admission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year, Somalia has been petitioning for membership in the EAC, but members declined due to war and disorder in the Horn of Africa nation.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the 22nd Ordinary East African Community Heads of State Summit in July, where he renewed his bid to join the EAC.
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