Asmara: Eritrea has withdrawn from the East African regional bloc, IGAD, accusing the organization of acting as a tool against countries like itself. In a statement, Eritrea's foreign ministry asserted that IGAD had deviated from its founding principles and failed to contribute to regional stability. This decision comes at a time of escalating tensions between Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia, raising fears of renewed armed conflict.According to Nam News Network, IGAD responded to Eritrea's statement by noting that the country had not made any tangible proposals or engaged with reform efforts. IGAD, which was established to promote regional stability and food security in East Africa, also includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti. The government in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, has long accused IGAD of siding with Ethiopia in regional disputes.Eritrea's history with IGAD is marked by previous tensions; the country left the bloc in 2007 during a border dispute with Ethiopia and only r ejoined in 2023. Eritrea's foreign ministry stated that the country finds itself compelled to withdraw from an organization that has forfeited its legal mandate and authority, offering no strategic benefit to its constituencies.In its response, IGAD highlighted that since Eritrea's return to the bloc, it had not participated in meetings, programs, or activities. The withdrawal comes as tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia continue to increase, with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed demanding access to the Red Sea through Eritrea, resulting in a strong reaction from Asmara.Eritrea officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993 after a lengthy battle for independence, leaving Ethiopia landlocked. In recent developments, Abiy and other Ethiopian officials have questioned Addis Ababa's recognition of Eritrean independence in their calls for sea access.Abiy, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for making peace with Eritrea's President Isaias Afewerki after a two-decade-long border dispute, now faces renewed te nsions. During the previous conflict, Eritrea was accused of destabilizing the region by interfering in the internal affairs of IGAD member countries, an allegation it denied, instead accusing its neighbors of siding with Western powers to destabilize it.At the instigation of Addis Ababa, IGAD demanded the African Union and UN Security Council impose sanctions on Eritrea. Eritrea also cut diplomatic ties with Djibouti, which hosts the IGAD headquarters, following a 2009 border dispute. The current head of IGAD is former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebyehu, further fueling Asmara's suspicions of the organization.
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