The East African Court of Justice has put on hold the swearing-in of nine Somali lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly, following a legal challenge that questions the legitimacy of their nomination process. The ruling underscores rising tensions as Somalia prepares to take its seat in the regional legislature.
The pause comes after a group of Somali Parliamentarians filed a petition seeking to annul the nominations permanently, citing allegations of favoritism, corruption, and procedural flaws. The court acted to prevent the swearing-in from proceeding until the case is fully resolved.
“The foregoing restraint shall operate from the date hereof and remain in force until the final disposal of the References or until further orders of this Court,” the judges stated.
The matter is before Justices Yohanne Be, Madara, Richard Wabwire Wejuli, Richard Muhumuza, Leonard Gacuko, and Kayembe Rene Kasandra. Noting the urgency of the issue, the judges emphasized the proximity of the upcoming EALA plenary session.
“In light of the urgency of the matter and the imminent commencement of the EALA plenary session on 23 November 2025, the References (Nos. 45 and 46 of 2025) are hereby certified urgent. The Registrar shall fix them for hearing on a priority basis, not later than the immediately following session of the Court,” the bench ordered.
The legal dispute emerges as Somalia moves toward full integration into the East African Community. The country officially began its accession process on December 16, 2023, with the signing of the Treaty in Uganda, witnessed by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
During the 23rd ordinary meeting of EAC Heads of State in Arusha on November 24, 2025, leaders reviewed the Council of Ministers’ report on negotiations with Somalia and approved its admission. This made Somalia the eighth member of the regional bloc and paved the way for formal accession.
The Summit tasked President Salva Kiir with agreeing on a signing date for the Treaty of Accession and required that Somalia deposit its ratification instrument with the EAC Secretary General within six months.
The Council of Ministers was also instructed to develop a roadmap for Somalia’s integration and report progress at the next Summit.
Somalia intensified its campaign after the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the bloc in 2022. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s high-level visit to the EAC headquarters marked the formal launch of the country’s membership bid.
Momentum continued in June when a verification report recommending Somalia’s admission was presented at the 21st extraordinary Heads of State Summit in Burundi, chaired by President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
“EAC Heads of State deliberated and adopted the report and directed the EAC Secretariat and Council to commence negotiations with Somalia immediately and report to the next Ordinary Summit,” the communiqué read, signed by all member states.
