IGAD Peace and Security Division

Commander @AbebeMuluneh, Director of @IGADPeace, met with H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (@ymahmoudali), Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at his office at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Discussions reaffirmed IGAD and the AU’s shared commitment to advancing #peace, #security, & regional #stability through strengthened coordination and collective action. During the visit, Commander Abebe also welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with former colleague @NuursViews, who now serves as Spokesperson to the AUC Chairperson. #IGAD #IGADPeace

🧵 At the ongoing IGAD Women, Peace & Security Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, CEWARN launched its Gendered Intersectionality Toolkit — a practical guide for integrating intersectional analysis into conflict prevention research across the IGAD region. 1/2

Opening of the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Women, Peace & Security – Nairobi 🇰🇪 On behalf of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu (@DrWorkneh), the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E Mohamed Abdi Ware (@MAWareSO ) – IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary in his welcoming remarks emphasised that women hold the social fabric together and called for strengthened, meaningful participation through the IGAD Women & Youth Advisory Board, backed by data, the Intersectionality Toolkit and strong Member State ownership. H.E. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo – Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children’s Services, Kenya commended IGAD’s leadership, noting that sustainable peace requires women’s voices in decision-making and urging Member States to strengthen National Action Plans and institutionalise women’s leadership in mediation. H. E. Hiroshi Matsuura – Ambassador of @japan to Kenya, highlighted sustained partnership with IGAD and the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives across mediation and peace processes. H.E. Guang Cong – @OSE_HoA reaffirmed commitment to inclusive regional peace efforts and continued collaboration with IGAD to strengthen Women, Peace & Security initiatives. Mr Adama Moussa, Deputy Regional Director for @unwomenafrica Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office stressed that there is no peace without women, urging high-level endorsement, accountability for conflict-related violence and community-driven interventions grounded in gender-disaggregated evidence. #IGAD #WPS

IGAD Ministerial Meeting on Women Peace and Security x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Follow the proceedings from the IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security.

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 2 of the @IGADsecretariat Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security commenced with focused engagement on advancing regional gender data systems and accountability frameworks. 📊 The morning sessions featured:
🔹 Deliberations on the continental and sub-regional context shaping gender equality and WPS commitments
🔹 Presentation of the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy (2026–2030), outlining its vision, mission and strategic goals
🔹 Validation of Strategic Goals & Interventions by Member States Discussions continue to strengthen harmonised and reliable gender statistics to inform peace, security, and inclusive development across the IGAD region. 
#IGAD #WPS

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 2 of the IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security focused on a strong regional consensus on advancing gender-responsive data and accountability frameworks. Over the course of the day, the delegates: 
🔹 Agreed on next steps covering governance structures, resource mobilisation, country priorities and M&E 
🔹 Held breakout discussions on national priorities within the IGAD strategy framework 
🔹 Consolidated feedback in plenary and formally adopted the Strategy Day 2 wrapped up with a shared commitment to strengthen harmonised gender statistics as a foundation for evidence-based policy, peace, and inclusive development across the IGAD region. #IGAD #WPS

🎥 Highlights from Day 1 of the Women, Peace & Security Technical Meeting in Nairobi as ⁦@IGADsecretariat⁩ and partners advance women’s leadership, mediation and evidence-based peacebuilding across the region.

Women are central to sustainable peace, inclusive mediation and security governance across the Horn of Africa. From 25–27 Feb 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, the @IGADsecretariat Gender Department convenes the Mediators Advisory Board & High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Women, Peace & Security bringing together women mediators, technical experts and Ministers from Member States. The engagement will begin with a two-day technical meeting to build consensus on the IGAD Women Mediators Advisory Board Roadmap and validate the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy and conclude with a one-day High-Level Ministerial Meeting to secure political endorsement and formal commitments. The meeting aims to: 🔹 Institutionalise the IGAD Women Mediators Advisory Board 🔹 Advance gender-responsive peace & security reforms 🔹 Endorse the IGAD Gender Statistics Strategy & Intersectionality Toolkit 🔹 Secure high-level political commitment through a Joint Ministerial Declaration This milestone gathering strengthens women’s leadership in mediation, promotes evidence-based decision-making and reinforces regional commitments to the Women, Peace & Security agenda. #IGADGender #WPS

@nyasha_bunjira from @OSE_HoA reaffirmed that peace , like greetings; is best when inclusive, emphasising collective action and sustained collaboration. She noted that the forum will shape how peace is understood, measured and sustained, while reinforcing that women are not only participants but pillars of regional stability. @eabsiye on behalf of @unwomenafrica commended efforts to institutionalise WPS and stressed the importance of reliable gender data and governance frameworks. She highlighted that while women play critical roles in peace and security, they remain underrepresented in decision-making, underscoring the need to translate commitments into tangible results on the ground. The opening session meeting sets momentum toward ministerial endorsement and deeper partnerships to advance inclusive, evidence-based peace across the region. #IGAD #WPS

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Opening session highlights | Mediators Advisory Board Technical Meeting Mrs. Amina Farah (@xubbifarah), Head of @igadgender in her welcome remarks underscored the value of bringing together women mediators and MS gender statisticians, is Imperative to bridge the gap between policy and practice. She emphasised that building consensus on the IGAD Mediation Advisory Board Roadmap and validating the Gender Statistics Strategy will deliver tangible, Member State–driven outcomes and strengthen evidence-based peacebuilding. Dr.Fatuma Adan (@FatumaIAdan), IGAD head of Mission to kenya on behalf of H.E. @DrWorkneh, the Executive Secretary, appreciated partners including Japan, @UN_Women and the @OSE_HoA, stressing that the establishment of the Board is strategic, not symbolic. She highlighted the need for inclusive mediation that reflects people’s voices and called for sustained women’s leadership in preventive diplomacy, stronger governance structures, and accountable, regionally led WPS implementation.

🕊️ IGAD Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace and Security 📅 25-27 February 2026, – Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 Day 1 Highlights The first day concluded successfully, setting a foundation for a more structured and impactful regional mediation architecture. Engagements centred on the strategic framing of the mediation landscape in the IGAD Region, where participants engaged in: 
🔹 Presentation of the Draft IGAD Mediation Board Roadmap (vision, mission, governance & implementation phases)
🔹 Breakout sessions refining the Board’s vision, mandate, legitimacy & institutional architecture
🔹 Prioritization of thematic areas including preventive diplomacy, preventive mediation, women & youth inclusion, capacity building & partnerships
🔹 A consensus & technical validation session ensuring line-by-line approval of the consolidated draft roadmap. Day 1 reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to strengthening women’s leadership in mediation and advancing inclusive peace across the IGAD region. #IGAD #WPS #IGADGender

Had a good discussion with @aestivill, Ambassador of @EmbaMexEti on potential areas of cooperation on issues of #Transnational #Security #Threats (TSTs) affecting the #IGAD region and beyond. It was a continuation of our initial conversation on matters of mutual concern with good prospects for collaboration. #SouthSouthCooperation #Trafficking #Smuggling #CyberSecurity #AI #OrganizedCrime #Security #TSTs

📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 📆 5 February 2026 IGAD validates the Draft Regional Framework for Transitional Justice. The Division convened a Validation Workshop on the Draft Regional Framework for Transitional Justice today, in partnership with the @UNHumanRights, @_AfricanUnion, the European Union, and the @theICTJ. The workshop brings together IGAD Member States, think tanks, and stakeholders to review and strengthen a regional framework aimed at advancing justice, accountability, reconciliation, and sustainable peace across the region. #IGAD #TransitionalJustice

AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission to the Uganda Elections, 2026. 📅 13 January 2026 Field Observers on the ground are engaging local officials, actors and stakeholders across assigned districts to assess pre-election preparedness, inclusivity, and the overall electoral environment. Their observations provide vital, grassroots-level insights that inform the Mission’s analysis ahead of polling day. #UgandaDecides2026 #AUCOMESAIGADEOM #IGADPeace 
@_AfricanUnion @COMESA_GPS @IGADsecretariat

AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission to the Uganda Elections 2026. 🗳️Election observers have been deployed to multiple locations throughout Uganda ahead of the 15 January 2026 General Election, working jointly to support a peaceful, and transparent electoral process. 🤝 #UgandaDecides2026 #AUCOMESAIGADEOM

AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission to the Uganda Elections 2026. The Head of Mission H.E. Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan), together with Commander @AbebeMuluneh of @IGADsecretariat and Amb. Shamsudin Ahmed of @COMESA_HQ met with the African Diplomatic Corps on Africa’s evolving electoral landscape, noting improvements in the 2026 electoral context, including a peaceful campaign environment. The exchange reaffirmed the need for credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections, stronger adherence to AU, COMESA & IGAD democratic standards and principles, and more preventive engagement ahead of elections. #UgandaDecides2026 #AUCOMESAIGADEOM 
@_AfricanUnion @COMESA_GPS @IGADsecretariat

AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission 2026 | High-Level Security Engagement. 
📅 12 January 2026 | 📍 Kampala, Uganda The AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission, led by H.E. Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan), accompanied by Commander Abebe Muluneh of #IGAD and Amb. Shamsudin Ahmed of #COMESA, met with Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba. Discussions addressed election security preparedness, inter-agency coordination, and measures in place to maintain public order, protect candidates, electoral officials and secure polling processes nationwide. The engagement also covered the use of technology as well as efforts to uphold professionalism, neutrality and human rights in election security operations ahead of Uganda’s 2026 General Elections. 🤝 #UgandaDecides2026 #AUCOMESAIGADEOM
@_AfricanUnion @COMESA_GPS @IGADsecretariat

Briefing for International Observers 
📅 12 January 2026 | 📍 Kampala, Uganda 🗳️🇺🇬 The AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission, led by H.E. @GEJonathan, attended the official briefing for international observers convened by the Electoral Commission of Uganda. Commander @AbebeMuluneh, Director of @IGADPeace, heading the IGAD delegation alongside Amb. Shemsudin Ahmed, Head of @COMESA_HQ delegation accompanied him. The briefing featured a keynote address by Hon. Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Uganda, and provided updates on the 2026 General Election roadmap, including electoral security arrangements and measures to ensure a credible, transparent, and peaceful process. #UgandaDecides2026 #AUCOMESAIGADEOM 
@_AfricanUnion @COMESA_GPS @IGADsecretariat

AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission to the Uganda Elections 2026 The IGAD Secretariat has deployed its Election Observation Mission to Uganda, joining the Joint AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observers led by the former President of Nigeria, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, in Kampala, ahead of the General Elections scheduled for 15 January 2026. H.E. @GEJonathan will be supported by Shemsudin Ahmed Roble, Member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, and @AbebeMuluneh, Director of @IGADPeace. Comprising 84 observers, the Mission will assess the electoral process with a focus on credibility, transparency, and peaceful conduct, in accordance with Uganda’s electoral legal framework, the OAU/AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), and the International Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, among other applicable instruments. #UgandaElections @_AfricanUnion @COMESA_HQ @IGADPeace