IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA)

The IGAD Leadership Academy wishes our Muslim brothers and sisters observing Eid al-Fitr a peaceful celebration filled with joy and renewed hope. #EidMubarak

As our Muslim brothers and sisters across the region and the world gather in prayer and celebration for EID, let us reflect upon the enduring strength of our unity and peace! #EID MUBARAK

Growing up and through my career, I’ve witnessed the resilience and determination of women who held families, governments, and communities together, often in the face of great challenges. Their strength continues to inspire us all to advancing women’s leadership across the region. Through initiatives such as the IGAD Women Forums on Peace, Agriculture, Digital Security and Artificial Intelligence, and Land Governance, alongside the IGAD Gender Strategy, we continue to expand opportunities and elevate women’s voices across the IGAD region. On this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where women lead and thrive.

This #InternationalWomensDay2026, the IGAD Leadership Academy reaffirms its commitment to advancing women’s leadership for peace, governance, and inclusive progress across the IGAD region. Happy #IWD2026!

Today, I received the Letters of Accreditation from H.E. Amb. Abdelrahman Raafat Khattab, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Djibouti, accrediting him to IGAD. We exchanged views on areas of cooperation between Egypt and IGAD, and reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement in advancing regional peace, stability, and development.

On 26 Feb, ILA Alumni – Kenya Chapter stepped from dialogue to action, serving as election observers in Mbeere North. From policy to protecting the ballot. Strengthening transparency, trust & grassroots accountability. #kurayakofutureyako @IGADLeadership @kanyuathebrand

Received Ms Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director, and her delegation in my office at the IGAD Headquarters in Djibouti. We held discussions on strengthening humanitarian diplomacy efforts, including advocating for safe humanitarian corridors in Sudan to ensure the timely delivery of life saving assistance to the people of Sudan, particularly children. We also explored avenues to deepen our collaboration on climate resilience, response to disease outbreaks, and other shocks that disproportionately affect children across the region.

@IGADLeadership Alumni Observer | Mbeere North – Muminji Ward byelection reflections: •Public aware & engaged •Mostly peaceful •Bribery persists •Politics seen as commercial •Low youth turnout Democracy needs youth to vote & Lea #KuraYakoFutureYako @IEBCKenya

Young people must involve themselves in electing the right leadership by choosing leaders based on ideologies and not slogans. Had an insightful experience as an @IGADLeadership Alumni Network-Kenya observer at the Muminji ward by-elections. #KuraYakoFututeYako

This morning at the IGAD Headquarters in Djibouti, I received H.E. Ms. Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, with whom we signed an Action Plan for cooperation on policy and security, technology and innovation, and science and education. This engagement reflects a shared commitment to practical cooperation on matters of mutual concern.

This morning in Djibouti, I received H.E. @LuisaFragoso2 Portugal’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and accredited to IGAD. We reflected on the geopolitical dynamics of the IGAD region, with particular focus on peace and security, climate change, and regional fragility. Portugal remains a valued partner of IGAD and the broader region, making contributions toward promoting stability across our region and beyond!

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 IGAD Leadership Academy Director @DrKinyanjui today held talks with the European Union Ambassador to Kenya Ms Henriette Geiger on areas of shared interest. The discussions focused on strengthening youth and women’s engagement in leadership as a foundation for sustainable development in the #IGAD region. Ambassador Geiger was accompanied by members of the EU Delegation to Kenya Mr Jorge Pereiro Pinon, Dr Cristina Barrios and Mr Dorian Kivumbi. #Youth4Leadership

As the blessed month of Ramadan begins, I extend my warmest wishes to Muslim communities across our region and around the world. Ramadan is a time of reflection, compassion, and renewal. Its values of solidarity, patience, and generosity resonate deeply with IGAD’s commitment to peace, resilience, and shared prosperity. May this holy month inspire unity, strengthen dialogue, and bring hope and comfort to all. Ramadan Kareem.

Met HE Ms. Cheryl Urban, Deputy Minister for Africa and Pan-Geographic Affairs at Global Affairs Canada. Our discussions focused on deepening cooperation between IGAD and Canada across key priorities including peace and security, climate resilience, humanitarian response, and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa. I appreciate Canada’s continued partnership and reaffirm IGAD’s commitment to working together for lasting stability and prosperity.

Joined Africa Heads of State and Government for the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. As this year’s focus turns to water, one of our continent’s most vital and strategic resources, we are reminded that the Africa we want will not be shaped by declarations alone, but by the determined action of African countries, the African people both public and private sector, and African leaders. This is not the sovereign responsibility of one nation or of leaders alone. It is our collective African duty. Together, through shared resolve and united purpose, we must strengthen our cooperation and transform our potential into lasting prosperity for generations to come.

Met with Ndiamé Diop, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank, to review the IGAD World Bank development portfolio. The World Bank is an important partner to IGAD and its Member States. Looking forward to strengthening this collaboration for the direct benefit of our people across the IGAD region.

On the margins of the AU Summit, I met H.E. Dr @GHessebon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to exchange views on regional peace and security and key institutional priorities. We underscored the value of sustained diplomacy and a cohesive regional voice. IGAD remains committed to working with all Member States to advance peace, stability, and regional integration.

Received Mr. Nick Checker, Senior Bureau Official, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs, for an exchange on matters of mutual interest. We discussed strengthening cooperation on regional peace and security and reaffirmed our shared commitment to coordinated action in advancing stability across the region.

The future of Africa will be shaped not by the resources we possess, but by how we govern and share them. Water sits at the centre of that responsibility. Today, I joined Africa’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the opening of the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, advancing the 2026 Theme of the Year on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation. As IGAD, we stand firm: access to water must not depend on geography or income, but on leadership, cooperation, and collective responsibility.

Water security is ultimately about people — the girl who can attend school, the pastoralist whose livestock survive drought, the mother whose children drink clean water. Today at the AU Summit side event on Unlocking Groundwater Investments Through Strategic Partnerships which is organized by IGAD and UNDP, I underscored that groundwater is not only a development issue but a matter of hydro politics, requiring stronger political commitment, regional cooperation, and peace and security to safeguard this shared lifeline in line with Agenda 2063. As IGAD, we remain steadfast in advancing collective action so that our shared waters, especially across border communities, become a foundation for peace, resilience, and prosperity across the region.