ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 18 April 2021
Three new grants to support the work of IGAD in the promotion of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa have been formally launched today. The grants amounting to EUR 4.2 M are part of the EU Trust Fund programme “IGAD Promoting Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa Region (IPPSHAR)” supported by the European Union (EU), ADA (Austria Development Agency), the Netherlands and Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency).
These additional grants are part of the overall EUR 36 M provided under IPPSHAR. The new grants specifically aim at reinforcing the IGAD Foreign Service Institute and the Mediation Support Unit. The third grant is part of the direct EU support to the human resources of the IGAD Secretariat in the area of peace and security.
The formal launch took place at the margins of the IPPSHAR Steering Committee meeting co-chaired by the IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and the Austrian Ambassador Roland Hauser, with the participation of the EU Ambassador Birgitte Markussen, the Dutch Deputy Ambassador Chris Devillers and the Swedish Ambassador Hans Henric Lundquist, held on Friday 16 April 2021.
The EU Ambassador to the African Union Birgitte Markussen said: “IGAD can play a key role in enhancing peace and security in the Horn of Africa. That is why the EU is partnering with Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden in supporting the organization’s mediation and diplomacy efforts and capacity. Today with the launch of three grants, we commit to translate commitments into reality in our search for stability to the benefit of all women and men of the region.”
H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu appreciated the EU support and said, “We thank the EU for this grant which reflects our mutual recognition that promoting peace and stability is inseparable from sustainable development. The support to our Mediation Support Unit and Foreign Service Institute will go a long way in boosting our conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy work”.
While the IGAD Foreign Service Institute (EUR 0.86 M) will develop, through training and capacity building, a critical mass of well-trained practitioners of diplomacy, the grant to the Mediation Support Unit (EUR 0.58 M) will enable IGAD to take early preventive diplomacy action and increase capacity to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
Background
With a total budget of EUR 36.1 M the EU Trust Fund programme “IGAD Promoting Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa Region (IPPSHAR)” (EU contribution: EUR 25.2 M, ADA: EUR 1 M, the Netherlands: EUR 1.14 M SIDA: EUR 1 M,) aims at achieving sustainable peace, security and stability for the attainment of economic integration and development of the IGAD region. This programme includes also the EU direct support to the human resources of the IGAD P&S Division with two grants: the first one of EUR 5 M for the period 2018-2020 and the current action of EUR 2.752 M for 2021-2022.
The IPPSHAR programme focuses on enhancing capabilities that include conflict early warning and response, preventive diplomacy and mediation, tackling the transnational security threats, and enhancing the implementation effectiveness of the systems and structures.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Mr Biruk Feleke | Press Officer | EU Delegation to the African Union |
E-mail: Biruk.FELEKE@eeas.europa.eu
Ms Legwaro Assefa, Senior Programme Manager, IGAD Peace and Security
Email. Legwaork.Assefa@igad.int
