IGAD members urged to work collectively to fend off terrorism, conflicts

Addis Ababa, August 20, 2023 (FBC) – Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member countries should work collectively and find solutions in order to deter the threats of terrorism and conflicts being witnessed in the region, IGAD’s Security Sector Program Director Commander Abebe Muluneh said.

Countries in the Horn of Africa are endowed with a plenty of natural resources.

However, instability, threat of terrorism, and climate change, among other things have been the major problems currently affecting the region.

Analysts say that conflict and instability in the Horn of Africa creates a safe haven for terrorists.

Hence, making the necessary efforts to sustainably address the prevalent conflicts and instability, being observed in the region, should be a priority of IGAD member countries.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, IGAD’s Security Sector Program Director Commander Abebe Muluneh said that Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups have been conspiring to destabilize the region.

One of the reasons for this is the recurring conflicts and instability being witnessed in the region, the commander pointed out.

He stressed the need to take collective action to deter the threats of terrorism by developing a sustainable solution to the increasing conflict in the region.

“Al-Shabaab and Daesh, force that aspires to establish Islamic state, have been operating in the region. One of the reason for this is the existence of weak government in Somalia that has been serving as safe haven for the groups. The migration from Yemen has also been expanding to our region.

The terrorist groups in Syria look for a vacuum following their defeat. This vacuum has been available now in the East Africa Region. For instance there is threat in Sudan. If the problem in Sudan is not resolved, it is believed that the terrorist groups will use the vacuum for their actions.”

Moreover, Commander Abebe elaborated that the geo-political competition in the region is the other reason for the instability, but the intervention of a third party has its own contribution in disrupting the stability of the region, per ENA.