The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has acknowledged with regret the Eritrean government’s decision to withdraw from the organisation, as noted in a formal note verbale to the Secretariat, according to a statement seen by APA on Thursday.
IGAD recalled that Eritrea had suspended its participation in the organisation for nearly two decades before formally rejoining following the 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in June 2023.
On that occasion, Eritrea had been “warmly and unanimously welcomed by all member states, reflecting a collective commitment to inclusivity, regional solidarity, and renewed cooperation,” the statement explained.
Since June 2023, IGAD said it noted with disappointment that Eritrea has not participated in any of the organisation’s meetings, programmes, or activities. “Throughout this period, the Secretariat demonstrated patience and goodwill, remaining open and available for constructive engagement,” the statement pointed out.
The regional organisation further regrets that the decision to withdraw was taken “without the submission of tangible proposals or engagement on specific institutional or policy reforms.”
The statement indicated that “the organisation has consistently remained open to dialogue through its established consultation mechanisms.”
Call for dialogue maintained
In this spirit, the IGAD Secretariat will continue its outreach to the Eritrean government and encourage it to reconsider its position and fully rejoin the organisation “in good faith, in order to advance the shared objectives of peace, stability, and development across the region,” the document added.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that “IGAD remains firmly committed to its mandate of promoting regional cooperation, dialogue, and collective action for the benefit of the peoples of the Horn of Africa.”
IGAD, established in 1996, groups eight countries in the Horn of Africa and East Africa: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and, until now, Eritrea. The organisation works to promote peace, security, and economic development in the region.
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