By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Eritrea, 12 December 2025 — Eritrea has formally withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), informing the bloc’s Secretary General of its decision and accusing the organisation of straying from its founding mandate and failing to deliver meaningful regional benefits.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was driven by long-standing concerns over IGAD’s direction and what Eritrea described as the organisation’s “failure to meet the aspirations of the peoples of the region.”
“Eritrea has formally informed the IGAD Secretary General of its decision to withdraw from the Organization,” the ministry said.
Asmara said it played a key role in IGAD’s revitalisation in 1993 and in efforts to make the bloc an instrument for regional peace, stability, and economic integration.
“Eritrea played a pivotal role when IGAD was revitalized in 1993, and subsequently worked, in collaboration with other Member States, for its transformation and effectiveness,” the statement added.
Eritrea suspended its membership in 2007, accusing IGAD of acting against the interests of certain member states.
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“Over time and especially since 2005, IGAD has not only failed to meet the aspirations of the peoples of the region, but instead played a deleterious role, becoming a tool against targeted Member States; particularly Eritrea,” the ministry said.
The country reactivated its membership in June 2023, saying it hoped the bloc would accept calls for reform. However, Asmara said IGAD had continued to “renege on its statutory obligations.”
“IGAD has and continues to renege on its statutory obligations, thereby undermining its own relevance and legal mandate,” the statement said.
The ministry concluded that Eritrea was left with no choice but to exit the regional bloc entirely.
“Eritrea finds itself compelled to withdraw its membership from an organization that has forfeited its legal mandate and authority, offering no discernible strategic benefit and failing to contribute substantively to the stability of the region,” it said.
IGAD has not yet publicly responded to Eritrea’s announcement.
