July 1, 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti) - Timely, quality, disaggregated and harmonized migration data are required to inform effective migration management and good governance. On 3 June, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held consultations with representatives of Kenya and Ethiopia, including migration focal persons of the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministries of Labour, Ministries of interior, and Foreign Affairs. These were followed by consultations with representatives of the national governments of Somalia and Sudan on 17 June, and representatives of the government of Djibouti on 24 June. Final round of consultations included representatives of the governments of South Sudan, Uganda and the Republic of Tanzania on 1 July.

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Nearly 28 million people were already food insecure before COVID-19 in the IGAD region

Nairobi / Djibouti, 4th June 2020: An estimated 27.6 million people across the IGAD region were classified in Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3+) levels of acute food insecurity in 2019. This figure represents 20% of the total population facing food insecurity that required urgent action across the world. Without taking into account the effects of COVID-19, projections indicate that around 25 million people would face acute food insecurity in the region requiring urgent action (IPC Phase 3 or above) in 2020, largely as a result of weather extremes, conflict/insecurity and economic shocks. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to push the numbers of acutely food-insecure people well beyond these early 2020 forecasts.

This report focuses on the IGAD-led mediation process from December 2013 to August 2015 to address the conflict in South Sudan. It identifies lessons from the South Sudan peace talks with the aim to inform future IGAD mediation efforts. These lessons are based on interviews conducted by a team of researchers from swisspeace and Kroc Institute, -with mediators, advisers, parties and supporters as well as an analysis of internal IGAD documents concerning the South Sudan peace talks. Throughout the process, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) had provided support as part of its standing partnership with IGAD.

June 2, 2020 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia): I have learned with a heavy heart the untimely passing on of the Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon. John Luk Jok, who was also a senior member of the Former Detainees (FDs) and a former Minister for Transport and Minister for Justice.

May 23, 2020 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia): The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the IGAD region in different ways. From public health emergencies, societal challenges and significant disruption of the economy, the pandemic has presented unique sets of challenges on an unprecedented scale. On the other hand, the pandemic has brought out the resilience of our IGAD Member States as demonstrated in their collective and concerted efforts in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

East Africa’s agro-pastoral areas at risk of new wave of desert locusts 

May 15, 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, sent a message of condolences to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya following recent foods that adversely affected the country.

(May 15, 2020 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) The Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, HE Dr. Lia Tadesse, received personal protection equipment from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). This in-kind support is part of the regional response to fight the COVID-19 epidemic and will benefit the cross-border sites, refugee camps and Internal Displaces Persons.