Arusha (MFA Somalia) – The State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in charge of East African Community (EAC) Affairs, Hon. Ali Mohamed Omar, participated on Friday in Arusha in the 35th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning (SCEACMP) and the 58th Extraordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers.

The meetings, hosted by the EAC Secretariat at its Arusha headquarters from 31st August to 6th September, bring together senior officials and ministers from the EAC Partner States to discuss key issues for regional integration and sustainable development.
At the SCEACMP, ministers are reviewing the Draft 7th EAC Development Strategy, the Terms of Reference for updating the EAC Vision 2050, plans for a Regional Language Policy, the EAC Calendar of Activities for July–December, and progress on removing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) in the region.

The 58th Extraordinary Council Meeting, held at the same time, focuses on strengthening EAC institutions, including reviewing job descriptions and the Operational Manual for staff recruitment to ensure fairness and inclusivity across the Community.
The SCEACMP commenced with sessions for senior officials from 31 August to 1 September, followed by a meeting of permanent and principal secretaries on 3 September, in which Mohamed Isack Ibrahim (Fatiir), Director General for EAC Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, participated, and concluded with a ministerial session on 5 September.

The 58th Extraordinary Council Meeting began its senior officials’ session on 2 September, followed by the permanent secretaries’ meeting on 4 September, and the ministerial session scheduled for 6 September.
These meetings highlight the EAC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among its members and promote socio-economic development across the region.