Nairobi: (Somali Observer) Nine Somali representatives were officially sworn in on Monday as members of the East African Community Legislative Assembly (EALA), marking Somalia’s first formal participation in the regional parliament since joining the bloc in 2023.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at EALA headquarters in Arusha after legal challenges that had temporarily delayed Somalia’s accession were resolved. The East African Court of Justice cleared the final obstacles, allowing the lawmakers to take their seats following months of uncertainty surrounding the selection process.
Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community, Ambassador Ilyas Ali Hassan, described the moment as “a historic day and a political victory for the Government and the people of Somalia.” He reiterated Mogadishu’s commitment to regional integration, peace, and economic cooperation within the bloc.
The newly sworn-in members include Abuukar Abdi Osman, Husen Hassan Abdi, Sahra Ali Hassan, Ilham Ali Gassar, Fatima Abdullahi Mahmud Insaniye, Abdisalam Hadliye Omar, Abdirahman Bashir Sharif, Faysal Abdi Rooble, and Fahma Ahmed Nur.
Somalia became the eighth member of the East African Community in late 2023, joining Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The regional bloc represents a combined market of nearly 300 million people.
Headquartered in Arusha, EALA serves as the legislative arm of the community, responsible for debating and passing regional laws, overseeing the bloc’s budget, and addressing cross-border issues affecting member states.
Somalia’s representation in the assembly is widely seen as a significant milestone toward full political and economic integration within the East African Community, following years of engagement as an observer.
