Somalia, 11 October 2025 — Somalia’s Federal Parliament has established a five-member committee to oversee the nomination of Somali representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
The establishment of the committee was endorsed by the Speakers of both chambers — Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur “Madobe” of the House of the People and Abdi Hashi Abdullahi of the Upper House. The five members will manage the selection process in accordance with Somalia’s legal framework and East African Community (EAC) rules.
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.” The Federal Parliament will then elect individuals to serve in EALA.
Having officially joined the EAC on 24 November 2023, Somalia is expected to nominate nine representatives to EALA, as stipulated by Article 50 of the EAC Treaty. Candidates may come from inside or outside parliament, but elected members cannot simultaneously hold national parliamentary seats. The selection must also reflect the country’s political, gender, and social diversity.
EALA, based in Arusha, Tanzania, serves as the legislative arm of the EAC, overseeing regional laws and cooperation on political, economic, and social matters. The committee’s formation follows Somalia’s accession into the regional bloc in 2023.
The elected MPs will serve a five-year term, which is renewable.
Below are the functions of an EALA Member of Parliament
- Liaise with the National Assemblies of Partner States on matters relating to the Community.
- Debate and approve the budget of the Community.
- Review annual reports on the community’s activities, annual audit reports from the Audit Commission, and any other reports referred to by the Council.
- Discusses matters pertaining to the Community and makes recommendations to the Council as necessary for the implementation of the Treaty.
- Establish committee or committees necessary to carry out its functions.
- Recommend to the Council the appointment of the Clerk and other officers of the Assembly.
- Makes its rules of procedure and those of its committees.
