IGAD Ministers Discuss Regional Politics, Covid-19

The Council of Ministers of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) met for the 72nd Extra-Ordinary Meeting where they hashed over a number of issues affecting the region.

Uganda was represented by the foreign affairs minister Gen. Jeje Odongo who reiterated Uganda’s commitment and support to IGAD’s overall agenda of attaining sustainable development for all countries in the region.

According to Gen. Odongo, since the last IGAD Summit on December 20, 2020, there has been positive progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The peace deal is an attempt to revive the ARCSS of 17 August 2015, which had apparently broken down as a result of the outbreak of civil war triggered by the violent confrontations that erupted on the night of 7 July 2016 in Juba.

The 72nd meeting which took place virtually on June 24, was convened by Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, Sudan’s Foreign Affairs minister, who also doubles as the Council’s chairperson.

During the meeting, the ministers looked at the challenges faced during the implementation of the South Sudan Peace process, regional efforts in response to combating the COVI-19 pandemic, supporting the transition process in Somalia, and the IGAD Refugee Platform and Durable solution strategy for the displacement in Sudan and South Sudan.

Minister Jeje Odongo appreciated the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) by South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the fact that the ceasefire is generally holding.

He also hailed the Somali government and the Federal Member States for efforts toward pursuing inclusive politics, referring to the May 27 agreement on the electoral model for the upcoming elections including the establishment of the Electoral Commission.

The Minister further reminded the meeting of the threat and challenge posed by Al Shabaab as the elections planning process is underway.

He added that this threat notwithstanding, achievements have been made thanks to the contribution and sacrifice of AMISOM and the Somali Security forces.

In regard to IGAD's response to combating the COVI-19 pandemic, Odongo lauded international partners like the European Union that have financed projects to prop up health and socio-economic development.

The Minister further urged the Secretariat to work with Member States to address the needs assessment of each State to adequately plan for these efforts to combat this pandemic.

He highlighted the Uganda government’s efforts in supporting the development of a vaccine and urged IGAD to be a trailblazer in supporting this scientific research and coordinating Member States' joint efforts in this area.