Eastern Africa's IGAD Launches New Treaty to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa (IGAD) has officially launched its new treaty, marking a significant milestone in the region's cooperation efforts. The treaty, which was adopted on June 12, 2023, replaces the 1996 Agreement Establishing the regional organization and enters into force after five of IGAD's seven member states ratified and deposited their instruments of ratification. These countries include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan.

The new treaty aims to strengthen IGAD's legal foundation, clarify institutional responsibilities, and broaden cooperation among member states. It expands the organization's cooperation agenda to include trade liberalization, investment, free movement of people, labor, goods, services, and capital, as well as renewable energy, transport, tourism, agriculture, food security, climate resilience, health, education, and technological innovation. The treaty also reinforces regional cooperation in peace and security, good governance, democracy, human rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.

The treaty was designed to address shared challenges through coordinated regional action, particularly in trade, security, climate change, food security, and sustainable development. IGAD has emphasized that the treaty's entry into force marks the beginning of its implementation rather than the automatic realization of all its objectives. Existing institutions and decisions will continue, subject to alignment with the new legal framework. The Executive Secretary is expected to notify member states of the effective date, transmit certified copies of the treaty, and facilitate its registration with the United Nations and communication to the African Union.

The new framework provides a stronger foundation for addressing shared challenges and expanding opportunities through deeper regional integration. One of the key ambitions is to facilitate the movement of people, labor, goods, services, and capital across the region, creating a framework for greater economic interaction, improved cross-border trade, investment opportunities, and mobility for workers and professionals. For businesses, stronger cooperation in trade liberalization, economic integration, and investment could help create a more connected regional market.

The treaty also reinforces cooperation in preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting peace, and addressing security challenges that cross national borders. This provides an institutional framework for member states to coordinate responses to regional instability, strengthen conflict prevention, and support efforts towards lasting peace. Additionally, the treaty encourages member states to work together in addressing drought, environmental degradation, food shortages, and other challenges that affect livelihoods, particularly among communities dependent on agriculture and pastoralism.

The treaty strengthens cooperation in health, education, science, technology, innovation, and social welfare, creating opportunities for coordinated regional approaches to public health challenges, human resource development, knowledge sharing, and improved access to social services. The framework also places greater emphasis on gender equality, women's empowerment, and the welfare of children, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

The remaining member states have been urged to complete their ratification processes as the organization begins implementing the new institutional framework. IGAD's Secretariat will provide further explanations of each of the 18 areas of cooperation under Article 24 in the coming weeks. The treaty's implementation is expected to have significant implications for the region, including improved economic opportunities, peace and security, and social development.

Key points

• The treaty aims to strengthen regional cooperation in trade, security, climate change, and sustainable development.
• The treaty provides a stronger framework for addressing shared challenges and expanding opportunities through deeper regional integration.
• The treaty reinforces cooperation in peace and security, good governance, democracy, human rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.