IGAD adopts new treaty, replaces 1996 agreement

The Intergovernmental Authority for Development on Monday adopted a new treaty that will see the agency fully operate under a set of rules like other regional economic communities.

It replaces the agreement that gave birth to IGAD in 1996 effectively putting in place changes including its chairmanship which will now be predictable.

The chairmanship will see member states assume office in alphabetical order, on a one-year rotational basis.

The rotation will be done at the assembly summit every June 12.

The treaty gives power and process to impose sanctions and established that every policy organ of IGAD has a defined number of meetings per calendar year.

This includes quarterly, biannually and annually as applicable.

Further, the treaty mandates to the council the power to resolve disputes through negotiation. 

The IGAD treaty will enter into force after at least two-thirds of the members have signed and ratified the documents.

The 14th assembly marked the first IGAD summit since 2019.