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Eritrea has withdrawn from East African regional bloc Igad, accusing the organisation of “becoming a tool against” countries like itself.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry said Igad had strayed from its founding principles and failed to contribute to regional stability.<\/p>\n
The withdrawal comes amid a fierce war of words between Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia, leading to fears of renewed armed conflict.<\/p>\n
In response to Eritrea’s statement, Igad (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) said the country had not made any “tangible proposals” or engaged with reforms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Igad was established to promote regional stability and food security in East Africa, and also includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti.<\/p>\n
The government in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, has long accused Igad of siding with Ethiopia in regional disputes.<\/p>\n
Eritrea previously left the bloc in 2007, during its border dispute with Ethiopia. It only rejoined in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“Eritrea finds itself compelled to withdraw its membership from an organisation that has forfeited its legal mandate and authority; offering no discernible strategic benefit to all its constituencies,” Eritrea’s foreign ministry said on Friday.<\/p>\n
In its response, Igad said that since the country returned to the bloc it had not “participated in IGAD meetings, programmes, or activities”.<\/p>\n
The withdrawal comes as tensions have been increasing between Eritrea and Ethiopia, two countries that have a long history of deadly conflict.<\/p>\n