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Council of Ministers approves new IGAD treaty

By Philip Buda Ladu

 

The council of ministers, on Friday, approved a new Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) establishing treaty, replacing the old one.

The new treaty, adopted by Heads of State and Government during the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Summit held in Djibouti on June 12, 2023, expands and diversifies areas of cooperation among member states and with the international community.

Justice Ruben Madol Arol, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, presented the new treaty for approval on Friday, in a regular meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Deputy national minister of information, Jacob Maiju Korok in his briefing to the media after the meeting explained the purpose of the treaty.

“The new treaty is meant to replace the 1996 agreement establishing IGAD so as to widen and deepen cooperation to achieve sustainable development,” the Minister said.

According to the minister the treaty is to accelerate regional economic, social, environmental, and political integration and cross-border cooperation among the member states.

He noted that the treaty was debated and passed by the council of ministers, awaiting presentation to the national parliament for ratification.

In April of this year, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Secretariat announced the ratification of the new IGAD treaty by the Federal Parliamentary Assembly of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

IGAD stated that this crucial step by Ethiopia’s Federal Parliamentary Assembly marks a significant milestone in the process of renewing the existing IGAD treaty, which has been in effect for the past 36 years.

The IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, extended his heartfelt appreciation to Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali for his exceptional leadership in advancing this important initiative.

“Ethiopia’s commitment to the IGAD treaty ratification process underscores its steadfast dedication to regional cooperation within the IGAD framework. I encourage member states to emulate Djibouti and Ethiopia’s example by initiating the ratification process of the establishing treaty,” he stated.

Gebeyehu added that this collective effort reinforces their shared commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and unity among IGAD nations.

 

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