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The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a regional economic development group among the countries of East Africa, founded in 1996, with its permanent headquarters in Djibouti.

Its priorities include working on economic cooperation, regional integration, peace and security, and standing up to wars and conflicts between member states.

Origin and establishment

The first beginnings of IGAD's founding date back to 1986; The intergovernmental body concerned with combating the effects of drought was established.

After years of work to combat the effects of drought and desertification, which caused the spread of famine in East Africa, and coping with security and economic challenges, the heads of state and government met in Addis Ababa in 1995 and decided to advance and revitalize their organization to expand areas of cooperation between member states, which share security challenges and the spread of poverty. and diseases among its people.

During the fifth summit of heads of government of member states, which was held in Djibouti on November 25 and 26, 1996, the summit decided to merge the intergovernmental authority on drought into a new organization called the “Intergovernmental Authority on Development” (IGAD).

In the context of pushing the organization towards cooperation and economic integration, the founding conference in Djibouti adopted a new vision for development centered around work in several areas, the most important of which are:

Economic cooperation, regional integration, agriculture, natural and environmental resources, health, social development, peace and security work to achieve food security.

Member States and Partners

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was established by 6 countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and Somalia.

After Eritrea's independence in 1993, it joined the body and became a full official member. In 2011, South Sudan joined and became its eighth member.

The total area of ​​IGAD member states equals more than 5.2 million square kilometers, and they have 6,960 kilometers of coastline in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.

Member states have international border distances exceeding 6,910 kilometers with Egypt, Chad, Libya, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

In 1993, former Sudanese President Lieutenant General Omar al-Bashir requested IGAD’s mediation to solve the problem of South Sudan. Some Western countries engaged in mediation with the agency and became its partners in solving problems.

The partner countries are: the United States of America, Britain, Norway, Italy and France.

The Authority has partnerships and cooperation with the US Cooperation Agency, United Nations bodies, the European Union, and many regional and international organizations working in the field of humanitarian relief, development support, and poverty eradication.

Objectives

IGAD aims to work for development, economic advancement, and recovery from the disasters of wars, conflicts, poverty, and diseases. Article 7 of the founding charter specified a number of goals that it was established to achieve, the most important of which are:

  • Working to achieve regional food security and sustainable development of natural resources.

  • Encouraging and assisting Member States in efforts to combat drought and disasters.

  • Promoting peace and stability in the region and establishing mechanisms to prevent and settle conflicts between member states.

  • Unifying policies related to trade, customs, transportation, and communications, and working on the free movement of goods and the passage of people within the borders of the Authority’s region.

  • Promoting common development strategies and harmonizing macroeconomic policies and programmes.

Structures

IGAD consists of the following structures and bodies:

The Council of Presidents:

It is the highest body. It consists of heads of states and governments. It supervises decision-making and formulates general policies and directions. It meets once a year, and the president is chosen alternately from among the member states.

Council of Ministers:

It consists of foreign ministers and another minister for coordination appointed by each member state. The Council formulates policy approved by the Council of Presidents and approves the general annual budget, and meets twice a year.

Ambassadors Committee:

It consists of ambassadors of IGAD member states or accredited missions, meets when needed, and provides guidance to the Executive Secretary.

Executive Secretariat:

It consists of the Executive Secretary and his staff. The Executive Secretary is appointed by the Conference of Presidents for a term of 4 years, renewable once. He ensures coordination between member states and the agencies and programs of the Authority, and follows up on the implementation of public projects.

In addition to the Executive Secretariat, which has its permanent headquarters in Djibouti, there are a number of agencies affiliated with the Commission in member states, such as the Regional Center for Combating AIDS, the Peace and Security Sector Programme, the Research and Forecast Institute, and other agencies.

Challenges

Despite the many resources possessed by member states and the elements for progress, the Commission did not achieve what was required of it due to many factors, the most important of which are conflicts and wars, administrative and political corruption, lack of economic opportunities, and the absence of fair management of local wealth.

Sudan crisis

Since the overthrow of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, IGAD has been working to bring views closer between Sudanese political parties.

The war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which broke out in April 2023 and resulted in the deaths of large numbers and the displacement of more than 7 million people, is the biggest challenge the organization has faced since its founding, especially since it places among its priorities working to prevent wars and conflicts.

In June 2023, IGAD formed a quartet committee to follow up on the Sudan crisis and persuade the warring parties to end the war and return to the dialogue table.

After months of work, the 41st summit of heads of government of member states met in the capital, Djibouti, and Kenyan President William Ruto, Chairman of the Quartet, presented a statement in which he announced the course of his efforts to put an end to the war.

After the IGAD initiative to return to dialogue, the United States of America said that it supports the decisions taken by the body in order to restore peace in the region.

Sudan freezes its membership

On January 20, 2024, Sudan decided to freeze its membership in IGAD as a result of what it said was “the organization’s disregard for Sudan’s decision, which was officially conveyed to it, to stop its involvement and freeze its dealings with it on any issues concerning it.”

A statement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the army commander and head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sent a letter to the President of Djibouti and the head of IGAD, Ismail Omar Guelleh, “informing him of the decision of the Government of Sudan to freeze its membership in the organization.”

Sudan had previously protested against the organization’s invitation to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, nicknamed “Hemedti,” to attend the summit it held on Thursday, January 19, a summit in which IGAD reiterated its call on both parties to the conflict in Sudan to “an immediate halt.” "It is unconditional for a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities to end the war."

Sudan had previously accused IGAD of giving legitimacy to the Dagalo “militia” by inviting it to a meeting attended by the heads of member states and governments. Al-Burhan also accused it of bias and seeking to interfere in an “internal matter.”

Source: websites