Eritrea has formally announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), condemning the regional bloc for deviating from its foundational principles and transforming into a political instrument against member states. The Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday declaring that the organization no longer serves its strategic interests or contributes meaningfully to regional stability.
This decisive move occurs against the backdrop of intensifying diplomatic friction between Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia, raising concerns about potential military escalation. The two nations share a tumultuous history marked by deadly border conflicts and fragile peace agreements.
IGAD, established to foster economic cooperation, food security, and political stability across East Africa, includes member states Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti. In response to Eritrea’s withdrawal, IGAD officials noted that Asmara had failed to participate actively in bloc activities since rejoining in 2023 and had not contributed substantive proposals for institutional reform.
The current tensions stem primarily from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s renewed demands for Red Sea access through Eritrean territory. These claims have provoked strong reactions from Asmara, particularly as Ethiopian officials have controversially questioned Addis Ababa’s recognition of Eritrean independence. Eritrea gained sovereignty from Ethiopia in 1993 after a prolonged independence struggle, rendering Ethiopia landlocked.
Historical context underscores the gravity of present developments: Abiy received the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for reconciling with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki following a two-decade border war that claimed over 100,000 lives. However, Eritrea has consistently accused IGAD of bias toward Ethiopia in regional disputes and alleged Western-backed conspiracies to destabilize the nation.
Further complicating regional dynamics, Eritrea maintains severed diplomatic relations with Djibouti—host to IGAD headquarters—since their 2008 border clash. The appointment of former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebyehu as IGAD’s executive secretary has additionally fueled Eritrean suspicions regarding the bloc’s impartiality.
Analysts note that IGAD faces broader criticism for its ineffective response to multifaceted crises in the Horn of Africa, where civil conflicts, terrorism, and interstate confrontations continue to challenge regional security architecture.