Somali Parliament Holds First Reading of IGAD Founding Agreement

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s House of the People held its 11th session on Monday at the Parliament headquarters in Mogadishu, with lawmakers taking a significant step toward regional integration by reviewing the foundational agreement of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The session, chaired by Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), opened with 146 members in attendance.

Lawmakers conducted the first reading of the IGAD establishment treaty, a key regional accord aimed at fostering economic cooperation, peace, and development among East African nations.

The agreement was formally presented by State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Balcad, who outlined its key provisions and Somalia’s obligations as a member state.

During the session, MPs raised probing questions about the legal and political implications of the treaty. Minister Balcad responded with detailed clarifications, emphasizing the strategic importance of IGAD for Somalia’s foreign policy and regional standing.

Speaker Madoobe concluded the session by directing the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee to prepare the agreement for a second reading, paving the way for in-depth debate and possible ratification in the coming weeks.

IGAD, founded in 1996, includes Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, and plays a central role in mediating regional conflicts and coordinating development initiatives.