What You Need to Know
Eritrea has officially announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), citing the organization’s failure to fulfill its legal mandate and achieve regional stability. The Eritrean government expressed concerns over IGAD’s political bias, particularly against Ethiopia, and emphasized that its continued membership was no longer viable. The UN Secretary-General, A.
Africa. Eritrea has announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the rising tensions between Asmara and Addis Ababa.
The Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué that Asmara informed the IGAD Secretary-General that its decision to withdraw was due to the organization’s loss of its legal mandate and its failure to achieve regional stability or meet the aspirations of the Horn of Africa’s peoples.
Eritrea accused IGAD of becoming a political tool used against certain member states, referring to Ethiopia, with which it has strained relations.
The Eritrean government indicated that the organization’s continued evasion of legal commitments rendered its membership pointless.
The statement noted that Eritrea had reactivated its membership in June 2023 in hopes of advancing the organization’s reform process, but it observed no improvement in its performance.
Regrettable Decision
IGAD expressed regret over Eritrea’s decision to withdraw from the organization. In a statement, IGAD noted that Eritrea had previously suspended its membership for two decades and that the IGAD summit in June 2023 had decided on Eritrea’s return as a show of solidarity, reaffirming a collective commitment to the region’s interests and enhancing cooperation. The Secretariat remained open and worked positively for the organization’s benefit.
The statement clarified that the withdrawal decision was made without presenting concrete proposals or engaging in consultations regarding institutional reforms or specific policies, emphasizing that its existing advisory channels had always remained open for dialogue.
IGAD confirmed that it would continue to engage with the Eritrean government and encourage it to reconsider its decision and fully return to the organization in good faith, serving the common goals of peace, stability, and development in the region.
The statement reiterated IGAD’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and collective dialogue for the benefit of the Horn of Africa’s peoples.
Historical Grievances
Eritrea’s initial withdrawal from IGAD was a pivotal moment in the history of relations between the two parties. In 2007, Asmara announced its withdrawal from the organization in protest against accusations of supporting the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, which Eritrea denied, instead accusing Ethiopia of aggression against both itself and Somalia. At that time, Asmara accused IGAD of bias towards Addis Ababa.
Following the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2018, relations improved, and Ethiopia called on IGAD, the UN, and the African Union to work with Eritrea and lift sanctions against it, paving the way for the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Eritrea officially resumed its membership and participated in IGAD’s 14th regular summit.
Today’s withdrawal raises concerns about escalating tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which fought a border war that ended 25 years ago with a peace agreement signed in Algeria. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, emphasizing that any new escalation between the two countries would threaten the fragile stability in the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea’s first withdrawal from IGAD in 2007 marked a significant turning point in its relations with the organization, following accusations of Eritrea supporting the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab. Eritrea denied these claims and accused Ethiopia of aggression. After a peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2018, relations improved, leading to Eritrea’s rejoining IGAD. However, the recent withdrawal raises fears of renewed tensions between the two nations, which had a border war that ended 25 years ago with a peace agreement in Algeria.
