By Mohamed Siyad - Reporter
Kenya, June 18, 2026 - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have officially launched the SECURES-IGAD Project, reinforcing their partnership to enhance peace, stability and resilience across the Horn of Africa.
The project, whose full title is Strengthening Early-warning Data and Crisis-prevention for Regional Stability in IGAD Member States, will support Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan by strengthening data-driven early warning systems and improving the capacity of institutions to anticipate, prevent and respond to emerging fragility risks.
Through enhanced support to IGAD's Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN), SECURES-IGAD will help bridge the gap between early warning and early action, addressing a critical challenge in regional crisis prevention.
The launch brought together representatives from IGAD, the African Development Bank and member states to establish a shared understanding of the project's objectives and implementation framework. A two-day technical meeting followed, focusing on project operationalisation, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, procurement and gender-responsive implementation.
The Horn of Africa faces persistent fragility risks that demand coordinated regional responses. By strengthening institutional capacity in four member states, the project aims to ensure that emerging threats are detected and addressed before they escalate into full-blown crises. The emphasis on data-driven systems reflects a growing recognition that timely, accurate information is essential for effective prevention.
CEWARN serves as the region's primary mechanism for tracking and responding to cross-border security threats. However, the gap between detecting warning signs and deploying early action has long undermined its effectiveness. SECURES-IGAD seeks to close this loop by ensuring that early warning feeds directly into early response.
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The technical meeting that followed the launch addressed practical aspects of implementation, including how the project will be financed, monitored and evaluated. Gender-responsive implementation was also prioritised, ensuring that early warning and response frameworks account for the distinct vulnerabilities and roles of women in conflict-affected settings.
The partnership between IGAD and the African Development Bank signals deepening institutional commitment to proactive crisis prevention rather than reactive emergency response. By investing in systems that anticipate fragility before it erupts, the project aims to reduce the human and economic costs of conflict across the region.
Through this partnership, IGAD and the African Development Bank are advancing collective efforts to build a more peaceful, stable and resilient region.