Its information minister said that Eritrea rejoined an East African union it abandoned 16 years ago.
Asmara left IGAD in 2007 to oppose Ethiopian forces’ invasion of Somalia to overthrow its Islamist authorities.
“Eritrea resumed its activity in IGAD and took its seat at the 14th Ordinary Summit in Djibouti,” Information Minister Yemane Meskel tweeted late Monday following the session. He did not clarify why Eritrea wanted to join IGAD and promote peace and stability in the region.
Isaias Afwerki, who has controlled Eritrea since 1993, fought a devastating border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000 and has frequently clashed with its neighbors.
It faces U.S. and EU penalties for human rights abuses. In recent years, it has repaired regional ties.
It struck a peace pact with Ethiopia in 2018 to end the border dispute, restore diplomatic connections with Somalia, and normalize relations with Djibouti.
It also reinforced ties with Kenya, which declared an Asmara embassy earlier this year.
According to human rights groups, Afwerki’s compulsory military conscription continues to cause hundreds to abandon the country.
Eritrea’s soldiers were accused of atrocities during the 2020–2022 battle in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray area.
Eritrea denies them.
