July 9-11 2025 (NAIROBI, Kenya): IGAD Peace and Security Division’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Unit successfully concluded the three-day Launching Workshop of the IGAD Civil Society Forum for Peace. Bringing together representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) alongside IGAD, the workshop marked the formal launch of a regional forum dedicated to reinforcing peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and post-conflict transformation across the IGAD region.
From the outset, participants drawn from each of IGAD’s eight Member States engaged in rich discussions on the role of CSOs in post-conflict transition. Officially opened by Maj. Gen. Habtamu Tilahun, Head of the PCRD Unit, on behalf of the Division’s Director, Commander Abebe Muluneh, sessions explored the IGAD Peace and Security Strategy, its policy frameworks, and the practical contributions of CSOs in reconciliation, transitional justice, and healing.
Through interactive presentations and plenary discussions, participants reviewed and validated the Draft Guiding Principles and Rules of Procedure of the Forum. Emphasising inclusivity, transparency, and Member States’ ownership, the approved document outlines the Forum’s objectives: to facilitate experience-sharing, strengthen institutional linkages between civil society and IGAD, and foster sustainable, people-centred peace initiatives in the region.
Engaging group work sessions on Day 2 and Day 3 enabled participants to identify the Forum’s priority areas of engagement, ranging from conflict-sensitive arms control and demobilisation efforts to amplifying the voices of women, youth, and displaced communities. These collaborative exercises sharpened the strategic focus of the Forum and enhanced the technical knowledge and capacity of its members to implement grassroots-driven peacebuilding projects.
On the final day, Maj. Gen. Habtamu Tilahun, the Head of the PCRD Unit, on behalf of the Division’s Director, officially launched the Forum and delivered the closing remarks. He reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to nurturing a robust, civil society-led network that complements national and regional peace efforts. The launch symbolised the transition of the Forum from concept to operation, with IGAD’s function entrusted to the PCRD Unit and governance responsibilities shared by the elected Steering Committee.
PCRD Unit Head, Maj. Gen. Habtamu Tilahun, extends warm congratulations to the newly elected Steering Committee of the IGAD Civil Society Forum for Peace:
- Mr Ousman Mohiadin – Chair of the IGAD CSOs Forum for Peace (Somalia)
- Mrs Oroma Diana – Deputy Chair of the IGAD CSOs Forum for Peace (Uganda)
- Mr Edmund Yakani – Rapporteur of the IGAD CSOs Forum for Peace (South Sudan)
With the Forum now fully operational, IGAD and its civil society partners will convene biannual meetings—both virtual and in person—to steer ongoing activities, mobilise resources, and monitor progress against the agreed work plan. This collaborative mechanism is set to amplify civil society’s impact, ensuring that local insights and community-driven solutions remain at the heart of IGAD’s peace and security agenda.
The successful launch of the Forum represents a significant stride towards a more inclusive, participatory, and resilient peace architecture in the IGAD region. As the Forum embarks on its mandate, IGAD looks forward to working hand in hand with CSOs and Member States to translate shared principles into tangible, lasting peace across the region.
This activity is supported by the European Union through the APSA Programme.
