Eritrea rejoins East Africa trade and security bloc

Eritrea has rejoined the East African bloc, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development or IGAD, nearly 16 years after the Horn of Africa country pulled out of the regional body.

After taking its seat at the 14th ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held on Monday in Djibouti, Eritrea's information minister Yemane Meskel said the country will be resuming its participation in the work of the regional authority.

"Eritrea affirmed its readiness to endeavor, in conjunction with all Member States, to commit to the rejuvenation and effectiveness of IGAD and advancement of peace, stability and regional integration," Meskel said.

He added his country believes in a dedicated focus on development, a leading role in fostering regional peace and security as well as a synergetic regional approach to external relations.

In April 2007, Eritrea withdrew from the eight-member bloc citing what it termed as a number of repeated and irresponsible resolutions that undermine regional peace and security which have been adopted under the guise of IGAD. One of the resolutions Eritrea objected to was the bloc's decision to ask Kenya to oversee the resolution of a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In 1993, Eritrea broke away from Ethiopia, leading to a conflict in which the two countries fought a two-year border war that prolonged into tense and bitter relations. In 2018, Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed negotiated a peace agreement which was signed by the two neighboring countries.

Monday's announcement comes after Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki told reporters during a visit to Kenya in February his country would rejoin IGAD with the idea of revitalizing the regional organization.