Eritrea has announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional bloc. The Eritrean foreign ministry released a statement on Friday, asserting that IGAD had become a "tool against" certain member countries and had deviated from its foundational principles, failing to contribute to regional stability.
In response, IGAD stated that Eritrea had not submitted any "tangible proposals" or participated in reform discussions since rejoining the bloc in 2023. Eritrea had previously suspended its membership in 2007 during a border dispute with Ethiopia, rejoining in 2023.
Eritrea's foreign ministry articulated its decision, stating, "Eritrea finds itself compelled to withdraw its membership from an organisation that has forfeited its legal mandate and authority; offering no discernible strategic benefit to all its constituencies." IGAD countered that Eritrea had not engaged in its meetings, programs, or activities since its readmission.
This withdrawal occurs amidst escalating tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, two nations with a documented history of conflict. Since 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly expressed a demand for Red Sea access through Eritrean territory. Ethiopia became landlocked following Eritrea's independence in 1993, after a protracted battle for secession. Ethiopian officials, including Prime Minister Abiy, have at times questioned the recognition of Eritrean independence in discussions concerning sea access.
In 2019, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in normalizing relations with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, which concluded a two-decade-long border dispute that resulted in significant casualties. During that earlier conflict, Eritrea faced allegations of interfering in the internal affairs of IGAD member countries, which Eritrea consistently denied. Eritrea, in turn, accused neighboring states of aligning with Western powers to destabilize it. IGAD, reportedly at Ethiopia's urging, had previously called for the African Union and UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Eritrea.
Eritrea also severed diplomatic ties with Djibouti, the host nation for IGAD headquarters, following a 2009 border dispute. The current head of IGAD is former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu. IGAD itself has faced criticism for its perceived inability to foster stability and regional integration within the Horn of Africa, a region characterized by internal conflicts, terrorism, and interstate confrontations.