8 April 2019, Nairobi, Kenya: The Mediation Support Unit (MSU) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) kick started a two-day meeting this morning in Nairobi, Kenya where IGAD Member States are reviewing a draft protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (CPMR) for the IGAD region.

The MSU has convened legal experts from Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs in the IGAD Member States with the aim of informing and shaping the CPMR draft protocol which will serve a standardized guide and mechanism for member states to jointly, effectively, efficiently and transparently design interventions; deploy envoys or mediators; and largely engage in conflict prevention, management and resolution in the region as guided by relevant International regional instruments among other principles.

During the opening session, Hon Siraj Fegessa, Director of the IGAD Peace and Security Division highlighted IGAD’s vision to build and strengthen the member states’ capacity in preventive diplomacy and mediation as well as guide them on prevention and response to conflicts in an efficient and timely manner for regional peace, stability and development. 

Speaking on behalf of the Kenya government, Mr. Agabio Mutembei Mutegi, Counsellor IGAD Focal Point at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended IGAD for its effort in boosting Member States’ capacity in mediation and taking a lead role in conflict resolution, prevention through early warning and mediation in the region.

Through this meeting of experts, a framework will be generated upon agreement by all member states for ownership as well as share responsibilities of conflict prevention, management and resolution based on early warning capacity and zeal for collective action within the IGAD region.

The two-day engagement of legal experts from will provide knowledge, experience and familiarity with the draft CPMR protocol that will later be discussed in further regional consultations where the final draft will be endorsed and adopted by the IGAD policy organs.

MSU is undertaking these consultations with the financial support of the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) jointly managed between IGAD and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

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14-03-2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoy to South Sudan; Ambassador Dr. Ismail Wais this morning together with senior representation from the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (JMEC) this morning met with a delegation representing Lt. General Thomas Cirillo Swaka, former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in the Government of South Sudan.

 This was the third engagement between Amb Dr. Wais and Lt Gen Cirilo who regrettably did not attend today’s meeting but delegated to a team to represent his position to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which will be scrutinized by the IGAD Special Envoy.

 The IGAD Special Envoy was directed by the IGAD Council of Ministers during the 66th Extra-Ordinary Session on Somalia and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa on 16th November 2018 to reach out to the South Sudanese stakeholders and non-signatories to join in the implementation of the R-ARCSS.

 In the same pursuit, Amb Wais on March 11 and March 12, 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya engaged with General Paul Malong Awan, Chairman and Commander – Chief, South Sudan United Front/Army and former Chief of Defence Staff in the Government of South Sudan; where a Declaration to Engage in the Peace Process in South Sudan through negotiations with the Government of South Sudan was signed.

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11-03-2019, Djibouti: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs (UN-DPPA) this morning embarked on a two-day meeting in Djibouti to have an in-depth discussion of recent developments in the Horn of Africa, their impact in the region and insight into how IGAD and UN can position themselves to accompany the region; taking into account regional and continental norms and frameworks in particular the principle of complementarity.

The other objective is to explore how the two organizations can continue to work together in support of regional solutions to regional challenges within their peace and security strategic priorities.

The IGAD Executive Secretary H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim in his welcoming remarks highlighted that the challenges and opportunities in the Horn of Africa require the two organisations strategically plan, place and manage themselves using a regional approach within a global priority and context.

“Confidence building is required from IGAD Member States to result into well structured, inclusive, civil and diplomatic measures through dialogue, understanding communities and their needs for political, economic and social development” Amb Maalim added.

Speaking on behalf of the UN, Ms. Barbara Manzi, UN Resident Coordinator, Djibouti emphasized that the UN-IGAD partnership is crucial to assist and guide the region to face its current challenges collectively in order to be effective.

“Since 2015, the partnership has yielded many positive results” she added.

On behalf of the IGAD Chair and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti Amb Abdulaziz Mohammed called upon the IGAD member states to commit, maintain and promote the positive changes in the Horn of Africa by identifying challenges
and handling them in one approach vis a vis individual interest

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti; H.E Mohamed Ali Hassan reiterated on the importance of this partnership for the betterment of the future generations by all having the member states working together with a genuine common goal and initiative.

At the two-day meeting being facilitated by Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum (CPPF) /Social Science Research Council (SSRC) will also discuss strengths and weaknesses of Peace and Security Frameworks in the Horn of Africa as well as Risks and Opportunities in Multilateralism in the Horn of Africa.

The workshop is a follow up to the November 2018 IGAD-UN meeting that was held in Kampala, Uganda, where key recommendations and activities for joint engagement were identified.

The High Level Dialogue (HLD) is held periodically and  is attended by IGAD Member States and a high-level representation of IGAD and the UN Secretariats.

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04-03-2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, South Sudan Office (IGAD-SSO) represented by the Special Envoy Amb. Ismail Wais this morning received Amb Seiji Okada, Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan announcing financial support of USD 3.2 million (US$ 3,200,000) from the Japanese government to IGAD, towards the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Amb Wais expressed IGAD’s sincere appreciation towards the Government of Japan and all other partners that have selflessly continued to support the efforts of IGAD towards making the youngest African state stable for the benefit of South Sudanese, the IGAD region and international community.

Amb Wais reiterated IGAD’s commitment to the ending of the conflict in South Sudan through the collaboration with the parties and stakeholder but also through involvement of all interested parties in giving the South Sudanese the peace they desperately want in order to build their nation.

On his part, Amb Okada appreciated IGAD’s efforts in successfully concluding the High – Level Revitalization (HLRF) process and in providing political support the implementation of the R-ARCSS and recommitted Japan’s support in key areas that will not only be significant in impacting the people of South Sudan but also achieve peace and stability to benefit from their support.

In 2018, the Government of Japan supported IGAD led HLRF process with USD 3.6million  (US$ 3,600,000).

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22-02-2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning constituted a Steering Committee for the implementation of a multi thematic program under “IGAD Promoting Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa Region – (IPPSHAR)" being implemented by the IGAD Peace and Security Division.

The IPPSHAR Steering Committee is composed of IGAD, represented by the Executive Secretary and funding partners such as; The European Union Delegation to the African Union, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Government of the Netherlands, who are represented at Ambassadorial level. It is chaired by the IGAD Executive Secretary and co-chaired by the Austrian Ambassador.

 H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim, the IGAD Executive Secretary expressed his appreciation to the European Union and the other Development partners that have contributed to this programme and also thanked the Austrian Development Agency for taking this responsibility.

 Amb Maalim stressed the readiness and commitment of IGAD and its member states to effectively implement this programme for the benefit of the IGAD citizens. 

 As Co-chair, Amb. Roland Hauser, the Austrian Ambassador to Ethiopia and IGAD,  expressed his gratitude to IGAD and the funding partners  and emphasised his commitment to the responsibility that ADA has taken up for the management of the programme. He stressed in particular that IPPSHAR will undertake activities and create partnerships that will increase the participation of women in peace processes – an important topic for the Austrian Foreign Minister – and reach citizens on the ground.

 The Head of EU Delegation to the African Union, H.E Amb. Ranieri Sabatucci called upon the partners to praise IGAD’s predictive indicative power on the relevancy of IPPSHAR which is more timely now considering the winds of change in the region.

 Amb. Sabatucci recommitted EU’s support and belief towards peace in Africa and its artichecture. He called on IGAD member states to integrate to achieve peace and stability.

 The Committee has been established to safeguard that the IPPSHAR project is in line with the IGAD Regional Peace and Security Strategy (2016-2020) as well as to ensure that achievements are in line with the purposes of the EU Trust Fund and the respective policies of the co-funding development partners.

The Committee’s overall objective is to provide oversight and strategic guidance to ensure that project implementation adheres to the agreements reached between all funding and implementation partners.

The Committee shall meet twice a year to review the status of implementation, provide strategic guidance in a changing policy and geo-political environment, review and approve work plans and reports and discuss strategic issues, including possible amendments to the Delegation Agreement, as well as make recommendations for the programme to mention but a few.

ABOUT IPPSHAR

The IPPSHAR programme is financed by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) and co-financed by the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Government of the Netherlands.

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) was delegated by the EU to manage the EU’s contribution to the programme through an indirect management mode.  

 The aim of IPPSHAR is to contribute to achieving sustainable peace, security and stability for the attainment of economic integration and development of the IGAD region.

The key strategic objectives covered under IPPSHAR include: Enhancing the IGAD Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) Systems, strengthening IGAD and national governments in the region to address transnational security threats, promoting preventive diplomacy, mediation and civilian peace building and enhancing the implementation effectiveness of IGAD's Peace and Security Division and Units.

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