October 3, 2024 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) conducted a regional cross-border learning workshop under the theme: Solutions to Facilitate Cross-Border Mobility and Cooperation in the Member States Region.
The two-day workshop aimed to improve cross-border cooperation between national and local administrations in the fields of displacement and migration.
Speaking on behalf of the Health and Social Development Division Director, Madam Fathia Alwan, Dr. Victoria Anib, Head of Social Development, emphasized that IGAD has been supporting its member states in developing national migration policies, strengthening national migration coordination mechanisms, and promoting regular migration pathways. IGAD’s interventions to support local communities in cross-border areas focus on migration and mobility, health, peace, land governance, and climate and drought resilience, among others.
Yahyah Hasan Maleou, Manager of Migration and Security at the National Coordination Office for Migration, and representative of the IGAD Chair, Republic of Djibouti, highlighted the challenges related to the mobility of people and the management of common borders. He noted that through the joint efforts of IGAD and its member states, cross-border management mechanisms with bilateral agreements have been signed.
“We have the opportunity today to think together about innovative solutions so that mobility is facilitated and becomes beneficial for our governments and our populations,” he said.
In officially opening the workshop, Mr. Girmay Yemane, Director of Land Border Management, Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia, noted the three major migratory routes of Ethiopia that often witness recurrent cross-border crimes, particularly putting women and children at risk.
“IGAD member countries should not remain silent when we see this problem,” he stressed.
Mr. Samatar Natalis, GIZ Team Leader for the Strengthening IGAD Migration Policy Implementation (SIMPI) project, highlighted IGAD’s progress in the IGAD cross-border region, particularly in Moyale at the Kenya-Ethiopia border, in enhancing local authorities’ capacities, providing essential services to mobile and host populations, and facilitating cross-border cooperation.
“I want to emphasize the importance of our support to IGAD, which plays a central role in the implementation of regional migration policies. Our joint efforts aim to create safer, more orderly, and regular mobility conditions while promoting socio-economic development in border regions,” he added.
The workshop brought together delegates from member state ministries responsible for cross-border issues, county administration officials from Marsabit County in Kenya, sub-national representatives from Moyale, Ethiopia, and civil society organizations working in Moyale with the IGAD Migration Program.
One of IGAD’s major initiatives on cross-border mobility is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. This initiative aims to enhance IGAD’s capacity to implement migration and displacement policies across its member states.
The IGAD cross-border regional learning workshop concluded successfully, offering key recommendations that could contribute to improving the lives of people in border regions, thereby facilitating cross-border mobility and enhanced cooperation.
