New IGAD Framework Activates as Horn Ministers Convene in Djibouti

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development has confirmed that its updated treaty has entered into force, marking a significant institutional milestone for the six-nation bloc. This development follows the completion of ratification procedures by five member states, including Ethiopia, which met the required two-thirds threshold necessary to supersede the organization’s foundational agreement from 1996. The formal activation was endorsed during the 74th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, held in Djibouti on September 15, 2026, according to the official communiqué.

As the new framework becomes operational, the region faces a complex landscape defined by persistent conflicts, escalating maritime insecurity, and deepening humanitarian crises. The treaty expands the scope of cooperation across critical sectors such as peace and security, climate resilience, and infrastructure. With the legal basis now established, the IGAD Secretariat is directed to implement the administrative and institutional measures required to make this new phase of regional integration functional.

Regional Legal Framework Solidifies

According to reports from GN auto geopolitics/africa: Horn of Africa, the ratification process was completed when Somalia deposited its instrument in January 2026, bringing the total number of ratifying states to five. Ethiopia, represented at the Djibouti meeting by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera, had previously ratified the treaty through its parliament in April 2024. The other ratifying nations include Djibouti, South Sudan, and Kenya.

IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu described the new treaty as the constitutional foundation for the organization as it enters a new phase four decades after its establishment. The Council also urged the remaining two member states to complete their respective ratification processes to ensure full regional participation in the new legal structure.

Maritime Security Takes Priority

Ministers placed significant emphasis on the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, declaring the safety of navigation a core regional priority. The Council noted that geopolitical competition, conflicts along the coast, and increased external military involvement are directly impacting the economic interests of member states. It instructed the Secretariat to strengthen maritime governance and coordination to address these threats.

This decision comes amid intensified instability around Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi forces have expanded their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Recent military advances, including the seizure of Mocha, have raised concerns about the control of strategically important islands. This crisis has particularly acute implications for landlocked Ethiopia and coastal neighbors like Djibouti and Somalia, whose international trade relies heavily on secure maritime access through these waters.

Political Tensions and Humanitarian Needs

The Council also addressed the political situation in Ethiopia, welcoming the completion of national elections and the National Dialogue. It urged for the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, the peace deal signed in November 2022 to end the war between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigrayan forces. However, the communiqué did not announce new mediation initiatives or specify additional measures to address renewed security tensions in the region.

Sudan’s ongoing conflict was another major focus, with the bloc calling for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities. IGAD emphasized the need for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as safe and unrestricted humanitarian access. The organization maintained that a Sudanese-led inclusive political process remains the necessary path toward a lasting resolution, even as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.