IGAD Council of Ministers Confer on South Sudan and Somalia

Addis Ababa November 16/2018 The Council of Ministers of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in its 66th extraordinary session today, has conferred on South Sudan and Somalia. During the occasion, Chairperson of the Council Workneh Gebeyehu said IGAD is taking measures that would lead the Horn of Africa to better integration. The critical tasks accomplished by IGAD in areas of security, infrastructural development and trade are taking the region to advanced levels of achievements, he added. Mentioning the role IGAD has played in bringing sustainable peace in East Africa, Workneh called on all partners to sustain their support. The chairperson praised South Sudanese parties for their determination to herald peace, stability and prosperity for the people. He commended the move to release prisoners and the peace celebration that took in Juba with President Sahlework Zewde. IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismael Wais on his part briefed the council on the current situation in the country, the progress and implementation of the peace agreement. Since the signing of the revitalization agreement two months ago, “there have been significant gains; but important tasks also remain ahead of us,” Wais stressed. IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia, Mohamed Ali Guyo said Somalia has found itself in a defining moment as changes are real and progress is being registered. “Somalia has the real opportunity to move towards institutional building and economic recovery,” Guyo stated. The Special Envoy noted that the economic recoveries are perhaps demonstrated in the resumption of Ethiopian and Kenya airlines flights to Mogadishu. Representatives from UN, EU, and AU, among others, have attended the meeting where they pledged to assist the return of South Sudan to normalcy.