The Kenyan government has welcomed Somalia’s accession to the East African Community (EAC) after a campaign by Somalia to join the organization.
In a statement issued by Kenya’s Prime Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, he congratulated Somalia on its success, saying that strengthening regional ties and fostering unity is the key to unlocking greater potential in East Africa.
“Together, we will build a brighter future for all our citizens,” Mudavadi said in a tweet.
Somalia was yesterday approved to become the eighth member of the EAC, seeking to expand free trade across the region.
Somalia has now joined the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda in the regional organization.
“We have decided to accept the Federal Republic of Somalia under the accession agreement,” outgoing EAC chairman, Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, said at the group’s summit in Tanzania.
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was present at the forum.
The EAC was established in 2000 and works to promote trade by eliminating tariffs between member states.
