Communiqué of the 57th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers on Djibouti and Eritrea

The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 57th Extra-Ordinary session on the 2ndJuly, 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Current Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers.

The Session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E Amb. Catherine Mwangi, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Yusuf Garaad Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E. Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, The Minister of Cabinet Affairs, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Ibrahim Ahmed Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan. H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda.

The Session was also attended by H.E Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Chairperson of JMEC and Amb. Tewolde Gebremeskel, Peace and Security Director of IGAD and Amb. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan;
The council of ministers of IGAD:

1. Takes note of the brief of the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, voicing the concern of the Republic of Djibouti regarding the new development of the border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea that has been triggered as a result of the evacuation of the Qatari forces from the area;

2. Urges the African Union to champion the cause of peace and fill the vacuum created by the withdrawal of Qatari forces in order to expedite the demarcation and the delimitation of the border of Dumera and the Island of Dumera in order to avoid any escalation of conflicts between the two countries in the future.

3. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

July 2, 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia