Intergovernmental Authority on Devel. (IGAD)

Multilateral not in force

INTRODUCTION

The Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), founded in 1986 was a joint commitment to mitigate the effects of recurring severe droughts and other natural disasters that plagued the region. On 25 November 1996, it became the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) when the organisation’s mandate was revitalised and the areas of cooperation enhanced to deal with food security and environmental protection, economic cooperation, regional integration and social development, and peace and security. IGAD is one of the eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union.

IGAD has eight Member States. Eritrea suspended its IGAD membership in 2007 after several unresolved disagreements with Ethiopia but rejoined the bloc in 2023. South Sudan was suspended from the bloc in December 2021 over unpaid dues. Furthermore, in January 2024, Sudan suspended its membership in the bloc over concerns about the latter’s handling of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It is not clear from the Agreement Establishing IGAD what the legal implications of suspending membership to IGAD are. In 2020, the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in the IGAD Region was endorsed by the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors as well as national ministers after country consultations and negotiations. The IGAD Protocol on Transhumance was also adopted in February 2020. As of 1 January 2024, four member states had signed the Free Movement Protocol, namely the Republics of Sudan and South Sudan, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. No country has ratified the Free Movement Protocol.

MEMBER STATES

DJIBOUTI (1986)
ERITREA (1993)
ETHIOPIA (1986)
KENYA (1986)
SOMALIA (1986)
SOUTH SUDAN (2011)
SUDAN (1986)
UGANDA (1986)

Sudan suspended its membership on its own accord in January 2024. South Sudan’s membership was suspended by IGAD in December 2021.

HEADQUARTERS

Djibouti, Djibouti

DATE OF CREATION

16 January 1986 as the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD)

TIMELINE

1986	IGADD is established on 16 January by the signing of an agreement by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya
1993	Eritrea became a member in September 1993 after gaining independence
1996	The Letter of Instrument to Amend the IGADD Charter/Agreement is signed by all members on 21 March 1996. The Agreement Establishing the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) thus launched and entered into force on 25 November 1996, and IGAD was established with a new organisational structure and expanded objectives.
2007	Eritrea suspends its membership to the bloc on 21 April 2007
2011	South Sudan becomes a member of IGAD on 25 November following its independence from Sudan.
2020	Endorsement by the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in the IGAD Region on 26 February 2020, and the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance on 27 February 2020
2021	Adoption of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in the IGAD Region and the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance on 24 June 2021
2021	South Sudan is suspended from IGAD on 10 December 2021
2023	Eritrea rejoins IGAD on 12 June
2024	Sudan announces that it has suspended its membership to IGAD on 20 January