By Spy Uganda Correspondent
Eritrea has formally withdrawn from the East African regional bloc IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), accusing the organization of “becoming a tool against” countries like itself and failing to uphold its founding principles.
In a statement released on Friday, Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry said IGAD had “forfeited its legal mandate and authority” and offered “no discernible strategic benefit” to its member states. The ministry accused the bloc of straying from its original goals of promoting peace, stability, and regional cooperation.
The withdrawal comes amid escalating tensions between Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia, raising fears of renewed armed conflict. Since 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has sought access to the Red Sea through Eritrea, prompting a furious response from Asmara. The two countries share a long history of conflict, including a border war that left over 100,000 people dead.
IGAD, which includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti, responded to Eritrea’s announcement by saying the country had not made any “tangible proposals” or engaged with the bloc’s ongoing reforms since rejoining in 2023. The organization further noted that Eritrea had not participated actively in meetings, programs, or activities since its return.
Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, has long accused IGAD of siding with Ethiopia in regional disputes. Eritrea previously left the bloc in 2007 during its border conflict with Ethiopia and rejoined only last year.
The recent withdrawal also underscores broader regional dynamics. Since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has sought to assert its sovereignty and protect its strategic interests. However, Ethiopia’s recent demands for Red Sea access and its questioning of Eritrea’s independence recognition have inflamed tensions.
Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for brokering a peace agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, ending a two-decade-long border conflict. Yet, Eritrea has repeatedly accused its neighbors of aligning with Western powers to undermine its sovereignty, while IGAD has at times demanded international sanctions against the country.
Eritrea also has a history of strained relations with Djibouti, which hosts IGAD’s headquarters, following a 2009 border dispute. The appointment of former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebyehu as IGAD head has further fueled Eritrea’s suspicion of the organization.
IGAD itself has faced criticism for its perceived failure to deliver on its mandate of regional stability and integration in the Horn of Africa, a region plagued by civil wars, terrorism, and intra-state conflicts. Eritrea’s latest withdrawal signals a deepening rift in East African regional cooperation, highlighting the ongoing challenges of diplomacy and peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa.
