Eritrea Announces Immediate Withdrawal from Regional Bloc IGAD, Citing “Deviation” and Failures
ASMARA, Eritrea – In a move that further destabilizes the political landscape of the Horn of Africa, Eritrea has declared its immediate withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a key eight-member regional bloc.
The Eritrean Ministry of Information announced the decision on Friday, levelling sharp criticism at the organization. It accused IGAD of having “violated its founding principles” and “failed to secure regional stability.” The statement further charged the bloc with becoming “increasingly subservient to external actors,” a common Eritrean criticism of Western influence in regional affairs.
The withdrawal comes amidst heightened tensions between Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia. Addis Ababa has recently renewed its longstanding diplomatic campaign for guaranteed access to the Red Sea, a demand that inherently involves Eritrean territory and sovereignty. Analysts suggest Eritrea’s move is a direct rebuke of what it perceives as IGAD’s failure to adequately address or condemn Ethiopia’s assertions.
In response, IGAD issued a brief statement expressing regret over Eritrea’s decision. The bloc noted that while Eritrea remained a member, it had “not been actively participating in IGAD’s activities for quite some time.”
This marks the second time Eritrea has exited the organization. It first suspended its membership in 2007 during a protracted border conflict with Ethiopia, only to rejoin in 2023 after a 16-year absence. Its latest departure, coming just a year after its return, underscores the profound and ongoing fractures within the region.
The withdrawal isolates Eritrea further from regional diplomatic forums and complicates collective efforts to address pressing issues, including the conflict in Sudan, drought, and security in the Red Sea corridor. It also raises questions about the future of regional cooperation in one of the world’s most volatile regions, as key stakeholders now operate without a common platform for dialogue.
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