In a development that has raised serious about Somalia’s place in the East African Community (EAC) and the benefits of its membership, the today’s joint communique between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed of Somalia and President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya failed to address the critical issue of free movement of people between the two countries. The communique, which was issued following a two-day working visit by President Mohamed to Nairobi, focused on the free movement of goods and services, but remained silent on the equally important issue of people-to-people interactions and mobility.
This glaring omission is particularly concerning given Somalia’s official status as a member of the EAC, a regional bloc that is meant to promote economic, social, and political integration among its member states. Somalia joined the EAC in July 2024, amid much fanfare and optimism about the potential benefits of membership, including increased trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. The country even immediately paid its membership fees of 7.8 million USD, demonstrating its commitment to the EAC and its vision of a more integrated and prosperous region.
However, Somalia has yet to realize the full benefits of its EAC membership, particularly when it comes to the free movement of its citizens within the region. While other EAC member states have made significant progress in removing barriers to people-to-people mobility, including through the implementation of a common passport and the elimination of visa requirements, Somalia remains largely excluded from these initiatives, with its citizens facing significant hurdles and discrimination when attempting to travel within the region.
A Failure in Diplomacy and Representation
The most egregious example of this discrimination can be seen in Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which was recently modified to make it even more difficult for Somali passport holders to obtain travel authorization compared to other nationalities. Under the new system, Somali citizens must now wait up to five working days to receive an ETA, while other nationalities can obtain authorization within minutes.
This discriminatory treatment of Somali passport holders is a clear violation of the spirit and letter of the EAC treaty, which explicitly calls for the free movement of people as a key pillar of regional integration. It is also a slap in the face to Somalia’s efforts to engage with its EAC partners and to contribute to the bloc’s overall development and prosperity.
Moreover, the fact that Somali citizens are being subjected to such blatant discrimination by a fellow EAC member state raises serious questions about the effectiveness and credibility of the bloc’s institutions and processes. If the EAC cannot ensure that its own members are treating each other’s citizens with respect and dignity, how can it hope to achieve its broader goals of economic and social integration?
The Kenyan ETA system is just one example of the broader pattern of discrimination and exclusion faced by Somali citizens within the EAC. From border crossings to immigration procedures, Somalis are routinely subjected to additional scrutiny, delays, and harassment compared to other EAC nationals. This not only undermines Somalia’s ability to fully participate in the bloc’s activities and initiatives but also reinforces negative stereotypes and prejudices about Somalis and their place within the region.
