Somalia Gains Approval to Issue East African Community Passports: A Milestone in Regional Integration

Somalia Gains Approval to Issue East African Community Passports: A Milestone in Regional Integration

Mogadishu — Somalia has reached a historic milestone in its regional integration efforts by receiving formal approval to issue East African Community (EAC) passports. The announcement, made on Tuesday, signifies a major step forward in enhancing mobility for Somali citizens and solidifying the country’s role within the regional bloc.

The authorization was delivered through an official letter presented by Somalia’s ambassador to Tanzania and permanent representative to the EAC, Ilyas Ali Hassan. The document was handed over to Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, also known as Fartaag, and the director general of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafa Sheikh Ahmed Dhuuxulow.

With this approval, Somalia can now print and distribute EAC-branded passports—a process that began in December 2025. These passports are expected to facilitate easier travel for Somali nationals across EAC member states, aligning with the bloc’s broader objectives of free movement, trade, and regional cooperation.

“This marks a significant diplomatic achievement for the Federal Government of Somalia and strengthens regional integration,” Ambassador Ilyas remarked in a social media statement. Indeed, access to the EAC passport system represents a tangible step toward harmonized immigration procedures and labor mobility across the region.

Somalia officially became the eighth member of the East African Community on March 4, 2024, after completing the ratification process. Its admission was first approved by EAC heads of state on November 24, 2023. The country now joins Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in a regional organization focused on deepening economic cooperation, expanding trade, improving infrastructure, and enhancing political coordination.

The introduction of the EAC passport system is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a practical milestone in Somalia’s integration journey. By enabling freer movement, the new passport not only strengthens regional ties but also opens opportunities for trade, investment, and people-to-people exchange. As Somalia steps into this new chapter, the move underscores the country’s growing diplomatic influence and commitment to regional development.