Intergovernmental Authority on Development

Formation

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development was established in 1996. It succeeded the earlier Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), a multinational body founded in 1986 by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, with a focus on development and environmental control. IGADD's headquarters were later moved to Djibouti, following an agreement signed in January 1986 by the member states. Eritrea joined the organization in 1993, upon achieving independence.

In April 1995, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government met in Addis Ababa, where they agreed to strengthen cooperation through the organization. This was followed with the signing of a Letter of Instrument to Amend the IGADD Charter / Agreement on 21 March 1996. The Revitalised IGAD, a new organizational structure, was eventually launched on 25 November 1996 in Djibouti.

Member states

Horn of Africa

• Djibouti (founding member, since 1986)
• Ethiopia (founding member, since 1986)
• Somalia (founding member, since 1986)

Nile Valley

• South Sudan (admitted 2011, suspended December 2021)
• Sudan (founding member since 1986, suspended participation in 2024)

African Great Lakes

• Kenya (founding member, since 1986)
• Uganda (founding member, since 1986)

Partner states

IGAD have partner states outside the Horn of Africa, Nile Valley and the African Great Lakes for participating at IGAD-RCP meetings on an ad hoc basis.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Chad
• Denmark
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Libya
• Netherlands
• Niger
• Norway
• Sweden
• Tunisia
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Yemen

Former members

• Eritrea (admitted 1993, withdrew 2007, attempted to rejoin in 2011, rejoined 2023, withdrew 2025)

IGASOM/AMISOM

Main article: AMISOM

In September 2006, the AU Peace and Security Council approved an IGAD proposal to deploy an IGAD Peace Support Mission in Somalia (IGASOM).

On 21 February 2007, the United Nations Security Council approved Resolution 1744, which authorized the deployment of a new African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in place of IGASOM.

Current situation

• IGAD is a principal supporter of the Federal Government of Somalia and backed it through the AMISOM and ATMIS initiatives.
• IGAD expanded its activities in 2008 with initiatives to improve the investment, trade and banking environments of member states. The organization stressed the deployment of highly innovative programmes and mechanisms.

Structure

• The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the supreme policy making organ of the Authority. It determines the objectives, guidelines and programs for IGAD and meets once a year. A Chairman is elected from among the member states in rotation.
• The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Secretary appointed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for a term of four years renewable once. The Secretariat assists member states in formulating regional projects in the priority areas, facilitates the coordination and harmonization of development policies, mobilizes resources to implement regional projects and programs approved by the council and reinforces national infrastructures necessary for implementing regional projects and policies. The current Executive Secretary is Workneh Gebeyehu of Ethiopia (since 29 November 2019).
• The Council of Ministers is composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and one other Minister designated by each member state. The Council formulates policy, approves the work program and annual budget of the Secretariat during its biannual sessions.
• The Committee of Ambassadors comprises IGAD member states' Ambassadors or Plenipotentiaries accredited to the country of IGAD Headquarters. It convenes as often as the need arises to advise and guide the Executive Secretary.

Ambassador Mahboub Maalim handed over as Executive Secretary to Workneh Gebeyehu in late 2019. Maalim, a Kenyan nominee, had served from 2008 to 2019.

Executive Secretaries

Comparison with other regional trade blocs

Notes

References

References

1. "IGAD-RCP".
2. "The IGAD ES Page".
3. "IGAD - About us". Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
4. (25 November 2011). "East African bloc admits South Sudan as member". Reuters Africa.
5. "Regional bloc suspends South Sudan's membership over failure to pay fees".
6. "Sudan suspends ties with East African bloc over paramilitary leader's summit invitation | Fox News".
7. (9 January 2010). "Intergovernmental Authority on Development: About us: History". IGAD.
8. (28 July 2011). "Eritrea rejoins East African bloc IGAD". Reuters.
9. Befekadu Bogale. (2014). "Eritrea's Relation with IGAD and the OAU/AU: The Domestic and International Dynamics". Turkish Journal of International Relations.
10. (14 June 2023). "Eritrea rejoins east Africa trade and security bloc IGAD after 16 years". africanews.
11. (12 December 2025). "Eritrea quits regional bloc as tensions rise with Ethiopia". BBC News.
12. (12 December 2025). "IGAD Regrets Eritrea’s Decision to Withdraw from the Organisation". IGAD.
13. (14 September 2006). "SOMALIA: African Union endorses regional peace plan". IRIN.
14. "Resolution 1744 (2007)". United Nations Security Council.
15. "IGAD countries leaders applaud Dr Workneh's appointment as executive secretary".
16. "Executive Secretary Hails Italy's Support to IGAD". Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
17. "The IGAD ES Page".