Tanzania, March 7 -- Arusha. The number of elected MPs to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) will increase to 72 following the admission of Somalia into the East African Community (EAC).

The Horn of Africa country is also expected to appoint a judge who will sit in the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).

This was announced here on Monday by the Counsel to the EAC, Dr Anthony Kafumbe, after Somalia deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Treaty of Accession to the Community.

With the deposit of key instruments, Somalia is now free to participate in all activities and programmes of the EAC "now that it is a full member of the bloc."

Somalia, which was declared a new EAC member last Nove...