Asmara, Eritrea – Eritrea has announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional bloc, claiming the organization has abandoned its founding principles and acted contrary to the interests of member states, including Eritrea.
According to a Friday statement from Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry, IGAD had “lost its legal mandate and authority” and no longer provides “any clear strategic advantage” to its members. This decision follows a severe deterioration in Eritrea-Ethiopia relations, sparking concerns about potential regional instability.
IGAD promptly dismissed the allegations, noting Eritrea had not actively participated in the organization’s activities since its return last year. The bloc stated that Eritrea had not engaged in IGAD meetings, programs or reform initiatives, nor had it presented concrete proposals to address its concerns.
Founded in 1996 to enhance regional stability, economic cooperation and food security, IGAD comprises Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia, and Djibouti, with its headquarters located in Djibouti.
Eritrea has historically accused IGAD of favoring Ethiopia in regional conflicts, an assertion the organization refutes. Asmara had previously left the bloc in 2007 amid a contentious border dispute with Ethiopia, only to rejoin in 2023.
This latest development aligns with intensifying verbal exchanges between the two neighboring nations in the Horn of Africa. Since 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has openly demanded access to the Red Sea via Eritrean lands, provoking a strong rebuke from Asmara.
Eritrea gained formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a prolonged independence conflict that left Ethiopia without direct access to the sea.
Recently, PM Abiy and other high-ranking Ethiopian officials have questioned Addis Ababa’s recognition of Eritrean sovereignty – comments that have exacerbated tensions.
Abiy received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for resolving a two-decade border conflict with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, a war resulting in approximately 100,000 casualties. Despite this diplomatic breakthrough, relations between the countries have since deteriorated.
In earlier stages of the conflict, IGAD members accused Eritrea of regional destabilization through interference in internal affairs – accusations that Asmara has persistently denied.
Conversely, Eritrean authorities alleged neighboring nations were conspiring with Western powers to weaken Eritrea.
Acting on Ethiopia’s recommendation, IGAD previously requested the African Union and U.N. Security Council to implement sanctions against Eritrea. Subsequently, Asmara severed diplomatic relations with Djibouti, where IGAD is headquartered, following a 2009 border incident.
Eritrea’s distrust of the bloc has been further heightened by the appointment of former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu as IGAD’s executive secretary.
IGAD has encountered increasing criticism for its failure to establish enduring stability or meaningful regional integration in the Horn of Africa, an area afflicted by civil wars, insurgencies, terrorism and persistent interstate conflicts. Eritrea’s departure now introduces additional pressure to an already precarious regional framework.
