What is IGAD and Why Was It Established?
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was formally established in 1996, succeeding the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), which had been created a decade earlier, in 1986.
IGADD was founded in the wake of the severe droughts and famines that struck the Horn of Africa in the early 1980s. Its primary focus was to foster regional cooperation to combat drought and desertification—critical environmental challenges threatening livelihoods across the region.
As the nature of regional challenges evolved, so too did the institution. In 1996, Member States adopted the Agreement Establishing IGAD, thereby expanding its mandate to include:
- Economic cooperation;
- Political and security collaboration; and
- Developmental integration.
Today, IGAD serves as a key regional organisation committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and integration across the Greater Horn of Africa.
Who Are IGAD’s Member States?
IGAD comprises eight Member States, each with distinct attributes, histories, and strategic roles that contribute to the organisation’s broader vision:
- Djibouti – A founding Member State and host to the IGAD Secretariat headquarters, Djibouti is a geopolitically significant coastal nation linking the Horn of Africa to international trade through the Red Sea.
- Eritrea – Joined in 1993, Eritrea brings rich historical context and strategic depth to regional dynamics.
- Ethiopia – A founding Member State, also known as the “Land of Origins,” Ethiopia plays a pivotal role in advancing regional peace, development, and connectivity.
- Kenya – A founding Member State, also referred to as “Magical Kenya” for its renowned safari experiences, Kenya is recognised for its contributions to peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance across the region.
- Somalia – A founding Member State, Somalia is home to the longest coastline in Africa and remains central to IGAD’s regional peacebuilding agenda. IGAD launched its first peace support mission, IGADSOM, in Somalia—a role later taken over by AMISOM.
- South Sudan – The world’s newest nation, South Sudan joined IGAD upon gaining independence in 2011. It boasts some of the region’s richest biodiversity, including savannas, swamps, and rainforests that support diverse wildlife.
- Sudan –A founding Member State where the Blue and White Nile converge, Sudan is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and home to the largest number of pyramids in the world.
- Uganda – A founding Member State, widely known as the “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda is recognised for its rich biodiversity, including the world’s highest concentration of mountain gorillas and stunning landscapes such as the source of the Nile River.
How Does IGAD Reflect the Diversity of the Region?
The Greater Horn of Africa is a region of vast cultural, environmental, and socio-economic diversity. It is home to:
- Over 300 million people;
- A multitude of languages, ethnicities, and belief systems; and
- A range of economic models—from nomadic pastoralism and subsistence agriculture to bustling urban economies.
IGAD embraces and reflects this diversity through its core mandate, working to:
- Facilitate regional integration through cross-border trade and infrastructure;
- Strengthen peace and security frameworks;
- Promote climate resilience and environmental governance; and
- Coordinate responses to public health emergencies and forced displacement.
Far from being a challenge, this diversity is viewed as a powerful asset—one that, when harnessed collaboratively, can drive sustainable development and regional stability.
In Conclusion
IGAD is more than an institution—it is a platform for cooperation, dialogue, and collective action. Rooted in solidarity and guided by a shared vision, IGAD remains committed to serving the interests of its Member States and the people of the region.
As we launch the #KnowIGAD Campaign, we invite you to follow along over the coming weeks as we explore the organisation’s history, structures, policies, and partnerships.
This is just the beginning. Join us as we unpack the IGAD story—one question at a time.
