Mogadishu, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on Somali universities and higher education institutions to actively promote the Swahili language, describing it as the cornerstone of communication and cultural identity within the East African Community (EAC).
Addressing education leaders in Mogadishu, the president emphasized that embracing Swahili would enhance Somalia’s participation in regional cooperation and economic integration. He said the language serves as a unifying bridge for the bloc’s eight member states and is crucial for fostering stronger trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties.
President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s unwavering commitment to advancing the goals of the EAC, including regional peace, economic growth, and shared prosperity. “Somalia is part of this community and is determined to play an active role in its development,” he stated, urging academic institutions to align curricula and research with regional priorities.
Despite joining the EAC as its newest and eighth member, Somalia continues to face challenges in enjoying the full benefits of membership. The free movement of people—one of the bloc’s key pillars—remains out of reach for Somali citizens. Neighboring Kenya, a founding EAC member, has yet to extend visa-free or even visa-on-arrival privileges to Somali nationals, in contrast to its policy toward citizens of the other seven partner states.
Analysts note that while Somalia’s admission marked a historic expansion of the EAC, practical integration has been slow, hindered by security, administrative, and diplomatic hurdles. Promoting Swahili, observers say, could serve as both a symbolic and practical step toward bridging these divides and fostering a sense of belonging within the regional bloc.
Somalia’s government views language and education as vital tools for unlocking the country’s potential within the EAC framework and for empowering its youth to participate more effectively in the region’s economic transformation.