Somali President Arrives in Tanzania to Attend 25th East African Community Summit

Saturday March 7, 2026

Arusha — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Arusha on Saturday to attend the 25th Annual Summit of the East African Community, a high-level gathering focused on advancing economic integration, security cooperation and political coordination across the region.

The visit signals Somalia’s deepening engagement with the regional bloc as it seeks to consolidate post-conflict gains and broaden economic and diplomatic ties. The summit brings together heads of state and senior officials from EAC member countries for deliberations on shared priorities designed to accelerate growth and stability.

According to Villa Somalia, President Mohamud is expected to deliver a keynote address outlining Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation. His remarks will focus on three pillars central to the bloc’s agenda: economic development, joint security efforts and social integration among member states.

On the sidelines, the president is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with fellow heads of state and regional leaders. Those discussions are expected to concentrate on strengthening partnerships and advancing practical collaboration under the EAC framework, including trade facilitation, coordinated security initiatives and programs aimed at easing movement for people and goods.

Summit deliberations are set to focus on a package of regional priorities intended to deepen integration and improve coordination across sectors. Delegates are expected to examine plans to:

• Expand intra-regional trade through streamlined regulations and improved market access
• Improve security coordination to address transnational threats and support joint efforts
• Enhance infrastructure connectivity to bolster cross-border transport and logistics
• Reinforce political collaboration and institutional mechanisms for collective decision-making

Somalia formally joined the East African Community in 2023, marking a significant milestone in its re-engagement with regional economic and political structures. Participation in this year’s summit underscores Mogadishu’s intention to act as an active contributor to the EAC’s stability and development agenda while drawing on regional platforms to boost investment, trade and employment at home.

The president’s presence in Arusha adds momentum to Somalia’s bid to align national reforms with regional standards and to tap into the EAC’s market and infrastructure opportunities. Officials say the combination of a keynote appearance and focused bilateral outreach is aimed at translating political commitment into measurable progress on security cooperation and economic connectivity.

Further details on specific initiatives to emerge from the summit are expected following the leaders’ sessions and the conclusion of scheduled bilateral meetings.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.