Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Salva Kiir Mayardit of Somalia and South Sudan respectively, are the latest Heads of State and Government to arrive in Djibouti for the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Summit.
At different times, both leaders were received by IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu. The two leaders now join Kenya’s President, Dr William Ruto, who arrived in Djibouti on Saturday.
IGAD is a regional body comprising eight member states that include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda (Eritrea is currently inactive).
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government (The Summit) is the supreme policy making organ of the Authority. It determines the objectives, guidelines and programs for the Secretariat.
“The attendance of all regional leaders reflects their unwavering commitment to collaborate in tackling shared challenges that affect the region,” wrote Dr Gebeyehu on Twitter.
The Assembly is expected to bring together leaders from the IGAD member states to discuss a range of issues critical to the region’s peace, security, and development.
The African Union, Members of the diplomatic community and representatives from the United Nations and the European Union will also be in attendance.
The Assembly will also provide an opportunity for IGAD member states to review the progress made in addressing these issues and to discuss new strategies for achieving sustainable development in the region.
The discussions are expected to focus on ways to strengthen cooperation between member states, enhance regional integration, and promote peace and stability, and economic growth and social development.
The IGAD member states are committed to working together to address the challenges facing the region and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity for all.
The summit is expected to produce a joint communiqué outlining the outcomes of the discussions and the way forward for the region.
This year’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government comes amid the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) which has unleashed widespread violence and instability throughout the country for a couple of months now.
While there are ongoing de-escalation efforts and peace initiatives from global and regional influencers including the United States (US), Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, it is highly unlikely that there will be any peace between the two groups in the foreseeable future.
In playing its role of encouraging regional peace and stability, this IGAD Assembly is expected to dedicate enough time to resolve the crisis and as well devise means of enabling the two parties to respect the multiple ceasefires they have previously not adhered to.
Dr Gebeyehu earlier on Saturday said he had held “productive meetings” with H.E. Malik Agar and his delegation. Agar is the Vice Chair of the Sudan Transitional Sovereign Council.