The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has expressed regret over Eritrea’s decision to leave the regional bloc, following a formal notice from the Eritrean government to the IGAD Secretariat.
This development comes after Eritrea rejoined the organisation only last year during the 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in June 2023, where it was welcomed by all member states in a show of regional solidarity and cooperation.
Since rejoining, Eritrea has not taken part in IGAD meetings, programmes, or activities.
“Throughout this period, IGAD has exercised patience and goodwill, remaining open and available for constructive engagement,” the Secretariat said in a statement.
The regional body expressed disappointment that Eritrea chose to withdraw without offering proposals or engaging in dialogue on possible reforms, stressing that channels for consultation remained open.
Eritrea officially informed IGAD of its withdrawal on Friday, through a notice dated December 12, 2025, marking a key turning point in its relationship with the organisation, which has seen periods of active participation, suspension, and re-engagement over the past three decades.
In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asmara, Eritrea cited long-standing concerns about IGAD’s effectiveness and strategic relevance.
The ministry noted Eritrea’s pivotal role in revitalising the organisation in the early 1990s, transforming it into a platform for regional peace, stability, and economic integration.
“Over time, and especially since 2005, IGAD has failed to meet the aspirations of the peoples of the region,” the statement said. Eritrea suspended its membership in 2007 but rejoined in 2023 with hopes for reforms. Following a review of its engagement since returning, the country concluded that continued membership offered “no discernible strategic benefit” and therefore opted to withdraw, reflecting its current stance on regional cooperation frameworks and the bloc’s trajectory.
Headquartered in Djibouti City, IGAD continues to coordinate initiatives on conflict resolution, humanitarian support, political processes, economic integration, and infrastructure development across the Horn of Africa.
The organisation’s eight member states include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
Originally founded in 1986 as the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), the body was revitalised in 1996 as IGAD, with an expanded mandate covering broader political, economic, and social development goals in the region.
