History Remembers Somalia’s Role in East African Peace—Will the EAC Return the Favor Through Inclusion?
By: Abdikadir Dubat
In the 1970s, Somalia was a beacon of stability in the Horn of Africa, stepping in to broker peace between Uganda and Tanzania at a time when both nations were on the brink of war. Somalia’s role as a diplomatic leader was pivotal in shaping the regional order. But that role seems to have faded from memory, as Somalia now finds itself isolated from the very region it helped stabilize.
Fast forward to March 4, 2024, when Somalia deposited its instrument of ratification to join the East African Community (EAC) in Arusha, Tanzania. This moment was celebrated as a long-awaited return—a chance for Somalia to reclaim its seat at the regional table and to bring its potential as a key economic and political partner. With a 3,000-km coastline, untapped resources, and a youthful population (73% of Somalis are under 30), Somalia has significant potential to contribute to East Africa’s growth.
Yet, nearly a year after joining the EAC, that promise remains unfulfilled. Despite the EAC’s commitment to free movement and integration, Somalis still face undue restrictions when traveling within the region. The most glaring example is Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which forces Somali citizens to endure processing times that stretch up to five days, compared to minutes for other nationals. This bureaucratic discrimination not only undermines the EAC’s claim of unity but also reinforces the notion that Somalia remains an outsider despite its membership.
While Kenya imposes these barriers, it simultaneously sends troops to Somalia as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), defending Somali sovereignty against the very forces that have destabilized the region. This contradiction is staggering.
The irony becomes even clearer when we consider how easily Somali citizens can obtain visas for highly developed countries like the UK, the US, and Turkey. It is far easier for Somalis to secure a visa to these nations than to their own neighbors, such as Kenya or Uganda.
This speaks volumes about the misplaced priorities in East Africa, where historical and contemporary ties are overshadowed by fear and discrimination. In doing so, the region is not only excluding Somali citizens but also losing billions of dollars in potential investments and economic growth due to restrictive visa policies.
In stark contrast to these exclusionary practices, Somalia has maintained an open-door policy for its East African neighbors. In the bustling streets of Mogadishu and in the polished conference halls of the city’s five-star hotels, Kenyans, Ugandans, and Tanzanians live and work with ease. These expatriates integrate seamlessly, many even speaking Somali and contributing to sectors like academia, food production, and high-skilled labor.
This openness, especially in a nation recovering from decades of conflict, demonstrates Somalia’s deep commitment to regional unity.
The disparity in treatment between Somalis and other East African nationals becomes even more glaring when considering that Somalia has provided refuge and opportunities for regional integration. Kenyan and Tanzanian nationals are welcomed without hesitation, while Somali citizens face hurdles and outright discrimination. Somali nationals face profiling, visa restrictions, and even denial of medical access in neighboring countries—an affront to the very values that the EAC purports to stand for, especially the free movement of people.
These visa restrictions are not merely bureaucratic inconveniences; they are symbols of distrust and economic exclusion. They contravene the spirit of the EAC, which was founded on the ideals of free movement, economic unity, and shared prosperity. As the EAC seeks to deepen its integration and become a political federation by 2031, it must address these divisive barriers to integration.
Somalia’s progress, though, continues regardless. It has paid its $7.8 million membership fee, implemented fiscal reforms, and secured debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. If the EAC can welcome conflict-ridden nations like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, why is Somalia, which has made strides in stabilizing and reforming, treated as a second-class member?
The argument that Somalia’s security risks—primarily due to the presence of Al-Shabaab—justify these strict visa rules does not hold up. The EAC already collaborates on counterterrorism efforts, with Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi contributing troops to ATMIS. If these countries trust Somalia enough to send soldiers to its soil, why not trust Somali businesspeople, students, or tourists? Visa bans do not stop terrorists—they penalize ordinary citizens, depriving them of their basic freedoms.
Moreover, the security argument is undermined by a glaring double standard. Other EAC members, including Kenya and Uganda, have faced terrorist attacks, yet their citizens are not subjected to the same visa restrictions. If security were truly the issue, the EAC would implement uniform risk assessments across the bloc rather than singling out one nationality.
From an economic standpoint, the costs of maintaining these barriers far outweigh any perceived benefits. Somali nationals, particularly entrepreneurs and professionals, have already made significant contributions to the regional economy.
Somali-owned businesses, such as Shamo Plast Industries in Tanzania and Zambia, are clear evidence of economic integration, even though it occurs unofficially due to the lack of a unified regional approach to mobility.
Somalia is not asking for special treatment; it is asking for the same treatment granted to all other EAC citizens. Consider the following:
Trade Potential: Somalia’s exports to the EAC currently total only $0.8 million annually. However, with reduced barriers, this could grow exponentially, especially in sectors like livestock, fisheries, and agriculture, which have immense potential.
Diaspora Networks: Somali entrepreneurs in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are already driving cross-border trade, often without access to official channels due to restrictive visa policies. The informality in which these activities occur deprives governments of tax revenue and limits the region’s economic growth.
Labor Mobility: With 73% of Somalia’s population under 30, the country’s young and dynamic workforce could become a major driver of East Africa’s economic prosperity, provided they are given the opportunity to move and work freely across borders.
Recent EAC reports show that intra-bloc trade surged by 11.2% between 2022 and 2023—a trend that would only accelerate with the full inclusion of Somalia in the region’s economic fabric.
The EAC’s founding treaty explicitly states that member states must adhere to “universally acceptable principles of good governance, democracy, and the rule of law.” By denying Somalis equal treatment, member states are violating these principles.
As Ambassador Ilyas Ali Hassan succinctly put it, “Somalia is ready to fully integrate into the EAC, but this requires reciprocity and trust.” The EAC must now act to dismantle the barriers that are holding back regional progress. It is time to align the rhetoric of unity with actions that promote integration and inclusivity.
The Solution is straightforward:
Immediate Visa Waivers: EAC members should unilaterally lift visa requirements for Somali passport holders, as they have done for other citizens within the bloc.
Harmonized Travel Policies: Replace the burdensome ETA system with a region-wide visa-free framework.
Public Diplomacy: Counter negative stereotypes by highlighting Somali contributions to the East African economy.
Somalia does not seek preferential treatment; it seeks equality—an equal opportunity to participate in the regional community it helped to build. The EAC was founded on the vision of a borderless Africa, where commerce, culture, and kinship transcend colonial-era divisions. But that dream will remain a hollow one as long as Somali citizens are subjected to suspicion instead of solidarity.
The choice is clear: Embrace integration or betray the EAC’s founding vision. For the sake of regional unity—and the future prosperity of East Africa—the time for visa-free travel is now.
Abdikadir is a Humanitarian and Development Practitioner with a keen interest in development politics and issues pertaining to the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia.
Twitter(X): @abdikadirist
Email: Abdikadirdubat40@gmail.com