Somalia Welcomes East African Court Ruling Enabling Parliamentarians' Participation

Wednesday January 21, 2026 Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has welcomed a ruling by the East African Court of Appeal that cleared the way for the country’s elected representatives to take their seats in the East African Legislative Assembly, ending months of legal uncertainty over Somalia’s participation in the regional body. In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry congratulated the nine lawmakers elected by Somalia’s Federal Parliament to represent the country in the assembly, describing the decision as a key step toward strengthening Somalia’s role within the East African Community. advertisements “The elected members will play an important role in advancing Somalia’s regional engagement and integration efforts,” the ministry said, underscoring the strategic importance of Somalia’s presence in EALA deliberations. The ruling overturns a decision issued in November by the East African Court of Justice, which had suspended the swearing-in of the Somali representatives after a legal petition challenged the nomination process conducted in Mogadishu. That decision temporarily left Somalia without representation in the EAC’s legislative arm. The petition, filed by Somali academics and political figures, alleged that the selection process was politically influenced, that qualified candidates were excluded, and that East African Community procedures were violated. It also accused Somalia’s Federal Parliament of breaching appointment rules in a way that favored government-aligned candidates. The appellate court’s decision removes those legal obstacles, allowing Somalia to fully engage in EALA’s legislative work on regional policy, trade, mobility and cooperation. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to working closely with EAC partner states on shared priorities, including economic integration, development and regional stability. “As Somalia continues to deepen its engagement within the East African Community, the ministry remains committed to ensuring effective representation across all EAC organs and institutions, in support of Somalia’s national interests and regional integration,” the statement said. Somalia joined the East African Community in 2023 as part of a broader effort to reassert its place in regional institutions after decades of conflict and isolation. Full participation in the legislative assembly is considered a cornerstone of that membership, giving Mogadishu a direct voice in shaping regional laws and policies.