Eritrea has formally withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), accusing the East African regional bloc of straying from its founding principles and original mandate.

In a statement, the Eritrean government said the organisation no longer reflects the values of regional co-operation and collective security it was created to uphold. The withdrawal comes amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly between Eritrea and Ethiopia, over Addis Ababa’s renewed push for access to the Red Sea.

The dispute has heightened fears of renewed instability in a region still grappling with the legacy of past conflicts, fragile peace processes and overlapping geopolitical interests. IGAD has traditionally played a central role in mediation and conflict resolution across East Africa, making Eritrea’s departure a significant setback for regional diplomacy.

Commenting on the move, Pan-Africanist and political analyst Professor Mammo Muchie said Eritrea’s decision reflects deeper fractures within regional institutions.

“This withdrawal signals a crisis of confidence in IGAD as a platform for resolving regional disputes,” Muchie said. “When member states feel that collective mechanisms no longer serve their interests or operate impartially, they retreat into unilateral positions, which ultimately weakens regional stability.”

He warned that escalating tensions over strategic assets such as the Red Sea could have far-reaching consequences if not managed through inclusive dialogue.

“The Horn of Africa cannot afford another cycle of confrontation,” he added. “What is needed is a recommitment to Pan-African co-operation, where disputes are addressed through diplomacy rather than power politics.”

–ChannelAfrica–