Poor governance cited as root cause of violence in IGAD region

Participants from Uganda, Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan attended the launch of IGAD governance forum, which was held on Friday at Botanical hotel in Entebbe (bukedde.co.ug)

 

Lack of democracy and good governance was cited as the root cause of conflict and violence in countries that form the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Siraj Fegessa, the IGAD director for peace and security noted that lack of democracy has become increasingly prominent in the African Union agenda and regional economic communities like IGAD, which has caused conflicts and impediments to sustainable development.

Fegessa made the remarks on Friday during the launch of the IGAD governance forum, at Botanical hotel in Entebbe.

The forum is expected among others to, strengthen and consolidate IGAD's engagement with its member states in promotion of good governance, election, rule of law and upholding human rights. It will also be a regional platform for experience-sharing among IGAD member states.

Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo, Uganda's state minister for ethics and integrity welcomed a move to establish a governance forum saying it will go a long way to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness among IGAD member states.

"With the IGAD governance forum being created, it will help in creating synergies and a platform for member states to share and cooperate in promotion of good governance in the region," said Fr. Lokodo. He assured firm commitment of Uganda in realisation of the objectives of IGAD governance forum.

The Friday launch of the IGAD governance forum followed the meeting of the committee of permanent secretaries of the ministries of foreign affairs in the IGAD region, which was held on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed conflict early warning and response mechanisms in the horn of Africa.  A subsequent meeting on Thursday saw the launch of the IGAD youth forum for peace, which resolved to have youths included in the national leadership of respective countries.

 

The extended mandate of IGAD allows the regional block to cover not only peace and security issues but also to take on the promotion of good governance and democracy in the region. Countries under IGAD include, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan.