IGAD - Peace, Security, Stability and Governance

The objectives of IGAD, as outlined in the Agreement Establishing IGAD, states that IGAD is strongly committed to the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region. This commitment includes the creation of mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of inter-State and intra-State conflicts through discussion.

The Peace and Security Division of the IGAD Secretariat work closely with member States to fulfil the objectives by promoting policy harmonization and cooperation among member States. Several initiatives are being undertaken. Primarily, the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Programme that includes activities and programmes in post-agreement follow-up of peace initiatives in the Somalia and Sudan conflicts; development of a counter terrorism strategy; control of illicit circulation of arms and weapons; coordination of the IGAD Inter-Parliamentary Union; and the Assembly of the IGAD-NGO/CSO Forum.^[1] Moreover, the Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism, which is a part of the African Peace and Security Architecture through its association with the African Union Continental Early Warning System, serves as another peacekeeping tool for IGAD member States.^[2]

The Peace and Security Division also works in humanitarian affairs to achieve its objectives. More specifically, the Disaster Risk Management Programme, including: training, resource mobilization as well as the implementation of the Regional Food Security Strategy, the Risk Management Programme and the Regional Disaster Fund. IGAD also works with the alleviation and mitigation of humanitarian crises to maintain peace and stability in the region.^[3] It has developed a draft Protocol on Democracy, Governance and Election to align member State practices in these distinct areas. The draft Protocol has, however, been pending since January 2013 and no further action has been taken to adopt it.^[4]

In October 2011, the IGAD Security Sector Programme was launched to implement the decision of member States in restructuring the IGAD Capacity-Building Programme against terrorism. The Security Sector Programme aims to build national capacity to battle terrorism and other related crimes while promoting regional security cooperation in the areas of: counterterrorism, organized crime, maritime security, and capacity-building of security institutions.