Somalia’s Federal Parliament has established a five-member committee to oversee the nomination of representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
This committee was officially endorsed by the Speakers of both House ( Senate and House of The People), Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur “Madobe” of the House of the People and Abdi Hashi Abdullahi of the Senate.
The newly formed committee is tasked with selecting Somalia’s nominees for EALA and preparing a list of eligible candidates for the Federal Parliament to elect.
According to a parliamentary statement, “The committee has been tasked with selecting Somalia’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly and preparing the list of eligible candidates for the Federal Parliament.”
Following Somalia’s official accession to the East African Community (EAC) on November 24, 2023, the country is set to nominate nine representatives for EALA, as mandated by Article 50 of the EAC Treaty.
Candidates can be drawn from both inside and outside the parliament, but those elected cannot simultaneously hold national parliamentary seats.
The selection process will also reflect the political, gender, and social diversity of the country.
EALA, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, acts as the legislative body of the EAC, facilitating regional cooperation on political, economic, and social issues. The formation of this committee comes on the heels of Somalia’s entry into the EAC, which represents a crucial moment in the nation’s diplomatic journey.
The elected MPs will serve a renewable five-year term, reinforcing Somalia’s legislative voice in regional affairs.
The electoral calendar sets a deadline for candidates to submit their applications by Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM Mogadishu time.
The official list of candidates will be published later that day at 5:00 PM, with elections scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
In addition to the nine MPs, Somalia will also have one judicial appointment to the East African Court of Justice’s First Instance Division. This dual representation not only grants Somalia a voice in legislative matters but also integrates the nation into the EAC’s judicial framework.
The upcoming elections also position Somalia for potential nominations to high-ranking EAC leadership roles, such as the Secretary-General and Speaker of the East African Parliament.
These roles will offer significant decision-making power and a platform for Somalia to actively participate in shaping the future of the East African region.
To ensure a competitive and qualified candidate pool, the eligibility criteria are rigorous.
Applicants must be Somali citizens, at least 25 years old, of sound mind, and hold a university degree.
They must also demonstrate a commitment to regional cooperation and be proficient in English, the EAC’s working language.
Candidates must submit a complete documentation package along with a passport-sized photo. Registration fees are set at $10,000 for male candidates and $5,000 for female candidates, aimed at promoting gender inclusion while preserving electoral integrity.
“This is a long-awaited homecoming for Somalia into the family of East African nations—a chance to influence and to lead,” said Mohamed Abdullahi, The Interim Committee chairman tasked of nominating these Candidates.
With Somalia now joining the ranks of the East African Community, which includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
