Prosper Okoye
Somalia’s federal parliament has ratified a revised treaty of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a move regional officials say clears the way for deeper cooperation across the Horn of Africa.
The endorsement by the House of the People makes Somalia the fifth IGAD member state to approve the 2023 treaty, reaching the two-thirds threshold required for it to come into force. Other countries that have ratified include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan.
IGAD, a regional bloc that brings together eight East African and Horn of Africa countries, said the vote marked a milestone in Somalia’s engagement with regional efforts on peace, development and integration.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“This ratification is a testament to Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation and shared progress,” the organisation said in a statement issued from Djibouti, where IGAD is headquartered.
A Revised Framework
The new treaty replaces the 1996 agreement that established IGAD, following what officials describe as a revitalisation process aimed at updating the bloc’s legal and institutional framework.
IGAD says the revised treaty is designed to strengthen cooperation among member states in areas including peace and security, climate resilience, infrastructure, health, trade and social development, reflecting challenges that have intensified in recent years.
Congratulating Somalia, IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, praised what he called the Somali parliament’s “decisive leadership”.
“As IGAD marks its 40th anniversary, the ratification by the Federal Republic of Somalia helps us reach the required two-thirds threshold, strengthening the legal foundation for deeper regional integration and more coordinated action in trade, peace and sustainable development across the Horn of Africa,” he said.
“With this step, we are building a stronger, more united and more resilient region for our peoples.”
Regional Reactions
Kenya’s foreign ministry welcomed the development, saying the treaty’s entry into force would support shared stability and prosperity across the region. Senior IGAD officials also described the moment as a major legal milestone for the organisation.
However, the announcement has also drawn criticism online, particularly from supporters of Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised.
Some commentators accused IGAD of bias towards Mogadishu and questioned the bloc’s effectiveness, while others renewed calls for Somaliland’s separate inclusion in regional bodies or for the creation of a new Horn of Africa-focused organisation.
What Happens Next
With the ratification threshold now met, IGAD says attention will turn to implementing the treaty and operationalising its renewed framework.
The organisation says it will work with all member states to deepen regional integration and coordinate responses to shared challenges.
IGAD was originally formed in 1996, building on an earlier drought-focused body established a decade earlier. Its current members are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
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The treaty’s entry into force comes at a time of continuing instability in parts of the region, including the conflict in Sudan and tensions linked to governance, climate shocks and economic pressures across the Horn of Africa.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
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