IGAD’s main challenge and the 12th ordinary summit assessment.

By Addis Mulugeta

There are enormous regional organizations in Africa established on the issues of Africa’s problems to resolve peace and security, the development efforts of the region and the social and cultural concerns of the continent. Currently, the issue of peace and security in the region is a vital and critical one and in the region civil war, border conflict and terrorist attacks are normal.
One of the organizations in the region is IGAD focuses on peace and security, environmental issues, the development of the regions etc. The IGAD sub-region continues to face serious challenges that pose a threat to its security, stability and sustainable development.
These challenges include political unrest, civil conflict and tensions, threat from terrorism, unabated availability of small arms and light weapons, disease, food insecurity, rising food praises and hunger.
The renewed violence in Abyei negates the scarifies made by many and the very spirit in which the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was conceived
According to President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, “we are equally concerned over the increasing numbers of internally displaced people in the Darfur region of the Sudan and northern Uganda. The human suffering associated with displacement calls for even more concerted efforts by all of us in dealing with the situation “
Furthermore, the current situation along the border between countries like Ethiopia and Eritrea, Eritrea and Djibouti, the situation of Somalia, Sudan etc undermine the credibility of the organization as well as the spirit of the AU. The organization has to therefore, initiate constructive dialogue among countries.
According to the new chairman of IGAD, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi noted that in the 12th ordinary summit held in Addis Ababa, “We need a serious and determined commitment to recreate an effective body to serve the interests of the peoples, regions and of Africa, the success of IGAD initiatives will depend upon the successful revitalization of the organization and that in turn depends upon us all. Ethiopia is fully committed to efforts to achieve peace, security, and sustainable development in our region”.
The organization has now promised to work closely in the political and security situation of the region and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The situation of Djibouti–Eritrea border conflict, Sudan, Somalia and Ethio-Eritrea border conflicts need attention.
On the issue of Somalia the organization noted with grave concern the continued violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and underlined the need for those responsible to be brought to justice. On the other hand, it registered serious concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia and called on the parties and armed groups to take appropriate steps to protect the civilian population, and to ensure the safety and security of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), UN and humanitarian personnel, and permit the timely, safe and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. IGAD commended the continued role by Uganda and Burundi troops (AMISOM) and further the Ethiopian sacrifices to bring lasting peace and stability in Somalia.
On Sudan the summit commended the continued implementation of the CPA, by the two parties, and welcomed the holding of the national census, and encouraged the parties to continue implementing all aspects of the CPA. The summit called the parties to always resolve their differences through negotiations in order not to unravel the CPA. It reiterated its commitment to follow the implementation of the CAP and in this regard called upon Ethiopia and Kenya the countries representing the region, to appoint special envoys to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC). The summit noted that with grave cvoncern the recent fight in the area of Abyei that has caused loss of life and destruction of property. The summit however, welcomed the recent agreement reached between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) to resolve the dispute through negotiation, the parties commitment to set the issue of Abyei to arbitration, and their resolves to abide and implement the award of the arbitration tribunal.
IGAD member countries condemned the action by Eritrean troops that heed to loss of life and injury and called upon the parties, in particular the government of Eritrea to heed the call for restraint by the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States and to receive fact findings missions to ascertain the situation on the ground.
The recent visit of the United Nations Security Council to the region also provides a good opportunity to get more appraise, not only on the Somalia situation but also on the wide horn of African region, it was noted.