East African Court postpones swearing-in of nine Somali legislators to EALA
Somali's accession process began on December 16, 2023, with the signing of the Treaty in Uganda on an occasion witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has postponed the swearing-in of nine Somali nominees to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
A communication from the Arusha-based court indicated that the decision was made on procedural grounds.
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A group of Somali Parliamentarians had recently filed a suit with the EACJ seeking the permanent invalidation of Somalia’s nominees, citing a flawed selection process and allegations of nepotism and corruption.
“The foregoing restraint shall operate from the date hereof and remain in force until the final disposal of the References or until further orders of this Court,” the judges noted in their ruling.
The case is being heard before Justices Yohanne Be, Madara, Richard Wabwire Wejuli, Richard Muhumuza, Leonard Gacuko, and Kayembe Rene Kasandra.
“In light of the urgency of the matter and the imminent commencement of the EALA plenary session on 23 November 2025, the References (Nos. 45 and 46 of 2025) are hereby certified urgent. The Registrar shall fix them for hearing on a priority basis, not later than the immediately following session of the Court,” the judges ordered.
Somalia’s accession process began on December 16, 2023, with the signing of the Treaty in Uganda, witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The Summit of EAC Heads of State at their 23rd ordinary meeting, held in Arusha, Tanzania on November 24, considered the Report of the EAC Council of Ministers on negotiations with the Federal Republic of Somalia.
They resolved to admit Somalia as a full member of the Community, making it the eighth member of the regional bloc.
The endorsement of Somalia’s application by the EAC Summit of Heads of State on November 24 paved the way for its accession into the Community.
The Summit further designated President Salva Kiir to agree with Somalia on when to sign the Treaty of Accession.
It also directed that within six months of signing the Treaty, Somalia must deposit the instrument of ratification with the Secretary General.
The Heads of State instructed the EAC Council of Ministers to develop a roadmap for Somalia’s integration into the Community and report progress at the next Summit.
Somalia intensified its push for inclusion following the admission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2022.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s high-level visit to the EAC headquarters at the time marked the formal launch of Somalia’s bid and sought to garner support from member states.
In June, the EAC adopted a verification report recommending Somalia’s admission into the bloc, a move that offered hope to the war-stricken country.
The report was tabled during the 21st extraordinary Heads of State Summit held in Burundi, chaired by President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
During the meeting, it was resolved that the report be presented at the next ordinary Summit later in the year, where a final verdict would be issued.
“EAC Heads of State deliberated and adopted the report and directed the EAC Secretariat and Council to commence negotiations with Somalia immediately and report to the next Ordinary Summit,” read a communiqué signed by all member states.
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