Somalia has fully paid its budget contribution of $7.8 million for the 2024/25 financial year, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to the East African Community (EAC). This payment precedes that of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which joined the bloc two years ago but has yet to make any financial contributions.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration submitted $7,853,071 last month, just before the EAC budget was presented to the legislative assembly. Somalia’s contribution increased the EAC budget from $103,842,880 in the 2023/24 financial year to $112,984,442 for 2024/25.
MP Kennedy Mukulia, presenting the Committee General Purposes report, highlighted that Somalia’s inclusion brings additional responsibilities to EAC Organs and Institutions. “While the Community’s budget appears to have grown, this is largely due to Somalia’s $7,853,071 contribution,” Mukulia stated.
As of June 2024, the DRC owed the EAC $14.7 million, Burundi $11.2 million, and South Sudan $8.6 million. Kenya had fully paid its dues, while other EAC partner states had minimal arrears: Rwanda owed $920,869, Uganda $200,203, and Tanzania $122,694. Mukulia emphasized the urgent need for disbursement of outstanding contributions to facilitate the activities for the financial year ending June 30, 2024.
Somalia recently reaffirmed its commitment to EAC integration, actively participating in a significant regional meeting held last month in Nairobi. “It’s now time to align Somalia’s national processes with regional frameworks to ensure comprehensive integration,” stated Secretary-General Veronica Nduva at the event.
The roadmap will include joint activities by Somalia and EAC organs and institutions. The EALA General Purpose Committee recommended that Somalia’s integration process be coordinated with that of South Sudan and the DRC, which are still lagging. Mukulia noted, “Despite the urgency to integrate Somalia, the organs and institutions are operating without a comprehensive roadmap.”
The committee observed that South Sudan and the DRC, which joined the EAC before Somalia, are not yet fully integrated. It recommended that the Assembly urge the Council of Ministers to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the full integration of South Sudan, DRC, and Somalia. Additionally, the committee suggested that the integration process consider each partner state’s budget contributions.
The EALA MPs further recommended that the implementation of this roadmap be contingent upon the concerned partner states honoring their financial commitments to the Community.
