March 17, 2016: Following the recent inter and intra-clan reconciliation peace agreement reached on March 16, 2016 in Kismayo, Somalia, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) takes this opportunity to welcome and congratulate the Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubaland people and their leaders for this historical achievement.

Following the communiqué of IGAD 21st Extraordinary Summit of Head of States and Governments held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 3rd May 2013, the Executive Secretary IGAD led a team of Ambassadors of member states to Mogadishu and Kismayo to conduct a confidence building mission and collect views from various stakeholders on Juba regions state formation. The conclusion on the formation of the Juba region state culminated in an agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Leader of the Interim Juba Administration.

IGAD on the 08 May 2015 attended the historic inauguration of the first Regional Assembly of the Jubaland administration in Kismayo, Somalia. The parliament is also the first Regional Assembly in Somalia since the establishment of the Somali Federal Government. The historic ceremony was attended by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Republic of Kenya, Amb Amina C. Mohamed, CBS,CAV, the Executive Secretary IGAD, Amb(Eng) Mahboub Maalim, the President of the Interim Jubba Administration, Mohamed Ahmed Islam, the deputy President of Puntland, Abdhakin Abdullahi Haji Omar.  Also in attendance were representatives from United Nations, AMISOM, ambassadors and ministers from the region.

MOGADISHU, 24 February 2015 - The United Nations, African Union, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), United Kingdom and the United States of America have welcomed efforts by local elders and business people in Somalia’s central regions to mediate a peaceful solution to the recent conflict in Guricel. They expressed concern about the humanitarian impact and loss of life stemming from the conflict and called upon all parties to refrain from violence.

They said: “We look forward to the conclusion of the valuable Dhuusamareb reconciliation conference, and look forward to the swift launch of the state formation conference in Adaado. The significant human suffering that has resulted from the conflict is unacceptable; we urge all parties to the conflict to refrain from violence and make concerted efforts to de-escalate tensions. Differences must be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue. We attach great importance to the swift conclusion of an inclusive and fully representative process leading to the establishment of an interim administration in the central regions.”