Eritrea Announces Withdrawal from IGAD, Citing Long-Standing Grievances and Lack of Reform

GOOBJOOG|ASMARA: Eritrea has formally notified the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) of its decision to withdraw from the regional bloc, marking a major shift in the Horn of Africa’s political landscape. The announcement was delivered in an official communication to the IGAD Secretary General.

In its statement, Asmara said the decision follows years of frustration over what it views as the organization’s failure to uphold its mandate or serve the interests of member states.

Eritrea recalled that it played a central role in IGAD’s revitalisation in 1993 and worked closely with neighbouring countries to strengthen the bloc as a platform for peace, stability and regional economic cooperation. According to the statement, those early aspirations were never met.

Asmara argues that from 2005 onwards, IGAD not only fell short of its goals but became “a tool against targeted Member States,” with Eritrea singled out in particular. These concerns led Eritrea to suspend its membership in April 2007.

The country reactivated its membership in June 2023, expressing hope that IGAD would reform and correct what it described as past missteps. Eritrea now says those expectations were not met, claiming the bloc “continues to renege on its statutory obligations,” weakening its credibility and relevance.