In a dramatic move that could reignite old rivalries, Eritrea has quit the East African regional bloc Igad, accusing it of betraying its core mission. But here's where it gets controversial: Eritrea claims Igad has become a pawn in regional power struggles, particularly against its interests. This bold step comes amidst escalating tensions with neighboring Ethiopia, raising fears of a return to armed conflict—a scenario no one wants to see.
On Friday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry issued a scathing statement, declaring that Igad had abandoned its founding principles and failed to foster regional stability. The ministry argued, “Eritrea is left with no choice but to withdraw from an organization that has lost its legal authority and offers no strategic value to its members.” This isn’t the first time Eritrea has left Igad—it previously exited in 2007 during a bitter border dispute with Ethiopia, only rejoining in 2023. But this time, the stakes feel higher.
Igad, formally known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, quickly fired back, stating that Eritrea had not engaged meaningfully with the bloc since its return. “They’ve been absent from meetings, programs, and activities,” Igad noted, implying a lack of commitment. Established to promote stability and food security in East Africa, Igad includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti—a lineup that Eritrea has long viewed with suspicion.
And this is the part most people miss: Eritrea’s government in Asmara has consistently accused Igad of favoring Ethiopia in regional disputes. This perception of bias has deepened with Ethiopia’s recent demands for access to the Red Sea through Eritrean territory—a request that has infuriated Asmara. Adding fuel to the fire, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other officials have even questioned Addis Ababa’s recognition of Eritrean independence, a move that feels like a direct threat to Eritrea’s sovereignty.
Eritrea’s history with Ethiopia is fraught with conflict. After a decades-long struggle, Eritrea gained independence in 1993, leaving Ethiopia landlocked. The two nations later fought a devastating border war from 1998 to 2000, resulting in over 100,000 deaths. Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending this dispute, but recent developments suggest old wounds are far from healed.
During the war, Eritrea was accused of destabilizing the region by meddling in the affairs of Igad member states—a claim Asmara vehemently denied. Instead, Eritrea pointed fingers at its neighbors, accusing them of colluding with Western powers to undermine its stability. At Ethiopia’s urging, Igad even pushed for sanctions against Eritrea through the African Union and UN Security Council.
Tensions with Djibouti, which hosts Igad’s headquarters, further complicate matters. Eritrea severed diplomatic ties with Djibouti in 2009 following a border dispute. With former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebyehu now heading Igad, Asmara’s distrust of the organization has only grown.
Here’s the burning question: Can Igad truly foster regional stability and integration in the Horn of Africa, a region plagued by civil wars, terrorism, and internal conflicts? Or has it become a tool for advancing the interests of certain members at the expense of others? Critics argue that Igad has fallen short of its mission, but is Eritrea’s withdrawal a solution, or just another symptom of deeper regional divides?
What do you think? Is Eritrea justified in leaving Igad, or is this a step backward for regional cooperation? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
