Eritrea has pulled out of the East African regional group, Igad. The government claims that Igad has strayed from its original mission and is now working against countries like Eritrea. This decision follows rising tensions with neighboring Ethiopia, raising concerns about potential conflict.
Eritrea’s foreign ministry was clear in its statement, saying that Igad has lost its authority and no longer offers meaningful benefits to its members. In response, Igad pointed out that Eritrea hasn’t engaged in any discussions or activities since rejoining the group in 2023.
Igad was created to promote stability and food security in East Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti. Eritrea’s government has long accused Igad of favoring Ethiopia during disputes. Notably, Eritrea had left Igad back in 2007 during a border conflict with Ethiopia but returned just this year.
The current situation adds to the fraught history between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Since 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been calling for access to the Red Sea through Eritrea, which has angered Asmara. This demand has even led some Ethiopian officials to question Eritrea’s independence, despite the fact that Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993.
This strained relationship isn’t new. The two countries fought a brutal war lasting from 1998 to 2000 over border issues, leading to over 100,000 fatalities. Interestingly, Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for reaching an agreement to end hostilities with Eritrea after years of conflict.
Beyond these conflicts, Eritrea has faced accusations of undermining stability in the region by meddling in the affairs of other Igad countries, a claim it consistently denies. Instead, Eritrea argues that its neighbors have colluded with Western powers to destabilize it. Additionally, Eritrea severed ties with Djibouti in 2009 after a border clash.
Adding to the complexity, Workneh Gebyehu, a former Ethiopian Foreign Minister and head of Igad, heightens Eritrea’s suspicions about the organization’s neutrality.
According to a 2023 report from the International Crisis Group, many view Igad as ineffective in addressing regional instability. The Horn of Africa continues to grapple with civil wars and terrorism, which makes Eritrea’s withdrawal from this group a critical moment to watch.
In conclusion, Eritrea’s exit from Igad not only reflects its grievances but also highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, raising questions about the future of cooperation and stability in East Africa.
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