Somalia Authorized to Issue East African Community Passports to Citizens

Mogadishu — Somalia has reportedly been authorized to begin issuing East African Community (EAC) passports to its citizens, marking another step in the country’s integration into the regional bloc and its free-movement framework.

According to reports from local media, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community, Ilyas Ali Hassan, formally handed over the authorization to Somali immigration authorities. The move clears the way for Somali officials to implement the EAC passport system, which facilitates regional mobility among member states.

The East African Community introduced the standardized passport in 2017 as part of broader efforts to deepen economic integration and ease travel within the bloc. The document allows citizens of member states to move across participating countries without visas, thereby supporting trade, employment opportunities, and cross-border cooperation.

With the authorization in place, Somalia’s immigration department is expected to begin preparations to issue passports to Somali citizens, enabling them to travel more easily within the EAC region.

The East African Community currently comprises eight member states: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia. While most members have already adopted the regional passport system, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are still in the process of fully implementing the program.

Regional officials have described the EAC passport as a key instrument in advancing the bloc’s long-term goal of establishing a common market, allowing for the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital across East Africa.

For Somalia, the development reflects continued progress in aligning its administrative and immigration systems with regional standards following its accession to the community. Analysts say broader adoption of the EAC passport could significantly improve travel opportunities for Somali citizens and strengthen economic and social ties with neighboring countries.

Authorities have not yet announced a timeline for the full rollout of the passports, but immigration officials are expected to provide further guidance once technical and administrative preparations are completed.

The expansion of the EAC passport program remains one of the bloc’s central initiatives aimed at promoting regional integration and facilitating mobility across East Africa.