The security, stability and prosperity of the Horn of Africa and tackling illegal migration in the region were at the heart of the informal ministerial meeting between the EU and the Inter-governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) – the second of its kind – in Brussels on Friday 29 September.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalin and the foreign ministers of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda agreed to cooperate more closely on tackling cross-border crime, maritime security and border management “in full respect of the rule of law and the protection of human rights”.
In a joint statement, the two sides restated their desire to make a significant progress at the fifth African Union-EU summit in Abidjan on 29 and 30 November.
The EU hailed the important IGAD initiatives on managing the reconciliation processes in Somalia and South Sudan and welcomed IGAD’s June summit decision to revitalise the peace process in South Sudan. Mogherini emphasised the need for closer regional cooperation to face common cross-border challenges. All underlined the crucial importance for the stability of the region of Somalia’s progress on security and state building. The EU reiterated its support of the AMISOM mission while highlighting the need for a fairer burden sharing by the international community.
Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides praised the solidarity shown by several countries in the region in hosting millions of refugees. Both the EU and IGAD recognised the importance of providing unhindered humanitarian access to people in need. The two sides agreed to accelerate support to Somalia to create an environment conducive for returns and to refugees who cannot yet go back to integrate into the economic life of their host communities.
The EU and IGAD agreed to meet annually in this ministerial format and to set up a steering group at senior official level to develop a political framework for joint action and report back at the next ministerial meeting. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)