Somalia, with its current challenges, stands to lose more than gain from joining the East African Community (EAC). The move seems driven by the elite, risking further political polarization in the nation Source: Daily Sabah By Hassan Yuusuf Waal After two previous failed attempts in 2012 and 2019, Somalia finally became a member of the East African Community (EAC) on Nov. 24, bringing the number of member states to eight. It joins Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called it a "beacon of hope" for Somalia, but it sparked fury and public debate among Somali people. Despite all the criticism thrown at Africa’s integration efforts, the EAC is widely regarded as a successful regional bloc. EAC launched a Custom Union (A free-trade zone with common tariffs) in 2005. It also achieved the milestone of establishing a Common Market (free movement of resources) in 2010. EAC is makin