Legal Block Lifted: Somali MPs to Join East African Legislature
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The regional appellate court for the East African Community has overturned earlier decisions that barred nine Somali parliamentarians from taking their seats in the East African Legislative Assembly, clearing the way for Somalia’s first full participation in the EAC’s lawmaking body.
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Somalia’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, Ilyaas Cali Xasan, confirmed the development after weeks of legal deliberations. “This ruling strengthens Somalia’s influence within the East African Community and supports our ongoing efforts to enhance regional integration,” he said.
The decision reverses a November suspension issued by the East African Court of Justice, which had halted the swearing-in of Somalia’s nine representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in response to complaints from Somali scholars and politicians. Those petitioners questioned the legality of the selection process held in Mogadishu, alleging political interference, exclusion of qualified candidates and violations of EAC procedures.
The injunction paused Somalia’s entry into EALA amid scrutiny of whether parliamentary nomination rules were followed and whether the process unfairly favored government-affiliated candidates. With the appellate ruling now removing the legal block, the nine representatives are cleared to take their oaths and assume their seats.
Why it matters
- The ruling allows Somalia to fully engage in EALA’s legislative work at a pivotal moment for regional integration.
- It resolves a procedural dispute that had stalled the induction of Somalia’s delegation since November.
- The outcome signals the EAC court system’s role in adjudicating politically sensitive membership and governance issues.
What the court weighed
While details of the opinion were not immediately disclosed, the appellate decision follows weekslong review of claims that Somalia’s Federal Parliament had bypassed established nomination rules and blocked other candidates. The earlier suspension was intended to preserve the status quo while the court examined whether the election of representatives complied with EAC standards. By overturning the block, the appellate bench concluded that the swearing-in could proceed.
What’s next
With the legal obstacle lifted, EAC institutions can move to administer the oath for Somalia’s nine representatives, enabling them to take part in committee assignments and legislative sessions. The ambassador framed the outcome as a step toward deeper participation and policy coordination within the bloc.
Background
Somalia’s admission to the East African Community has broadened the bloc’s geographic footprint along the Horn of Africa. Representation in EALA is a core element of membership, giving national delegations a voice in drafting and debating regional laws and oversight measures. The November suspension had delayed that process for Somalia, drawing sharp debate at home over how the nominees were chosen and whether the selection lived up to EAC guidelines.
Monday’s ruling closes that chapter and positions Somalia to join the legislative agenda without further court-imposed delays, even as domestic critics press for reforms to future selection processes. For regional lawmakers and officials, the focus now turns to the practicalities of induction and the policy priorities the new Somali delegation will bring to the table.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
