The worsening humanitarian and security situation across the Horn of Africa has taken centre stage as foreign ministers and senior government officials from IGAD member states gather in Djibouti City for the bloc’s 74th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.
The high-level meeting is bringing regional leaders together to assess the growing challenges facing the region, with discussions expected to focus on conflicts in member states, humanitarian needs, peace and security, as well as strengthening regional cooperation.
The session is being chaired by Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulkader Omar, and is also attended by representatives of international organisations, including the United Nations.
Opening the meeting, IGAD Council of Ministers Chair Dr Workneh Gebeyehu welcomed the Sudanese delegation and highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing the region.
He said nearly 49 million people across IGAD member states are acutely food insecure, while more than 19 million have been displaced.
“Sudan remains the epicenter of one of the gravest crises,” Gebeyehu said, pointing to the continued conflict and its impact on civilians.
The IGAD chair, however, cautioned against portraying the region only through the lens of conflict and humanitarian suffering.
“Ours is not the story of despair alone,” he said.
Gebeyehu pointed to progress made by IGAD and its member states, saying 77 per cent of priority areas at the IGAD Secretariat were on track during the first half of the year.
He also said the bloc’s early warning systems had surpassed their half-year targets, while health coverage had improved from 60 to 65 per cent.
“We have challenges and we have success stories as well,” he said.
Sudan is taking part in the meeting with a delegation led by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Muawiya Khalid.
Kenya is also represented by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei, who is attending on behalf of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The Council is expected to review ongoing conflicts and security challenges across the region and assess efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.
The ministers will also consider institutional reforms, including measures to strengthen the IGAD Treaty and update regional policies to address emerging challenges.
Coordination between IGAD and its international partners, including the United Nations and the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, will also feature in the discussions.
The session is expected to conclude with the adoption of an official communiqué outlining the decisions reached by the ministers and the next steps for the regional bloc.
