IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA)

Official X account for @IGADsecretariat Leadership Academy (ILA)

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

In a time of growing global uncertainty, sustained partnership and dialogue remain indispensable.
Today, at the IGAD Office in Addis Ababa, I co convened the IGAD–Sweden Annual Partnership Meeting with H.E. Magnus Lennartsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and IGAD.

Our discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in support of peace, resilience, regional integration, and sustainable development across the IGAD region.
I thank the government and people of Sweden for the continued partnership and shared commitment to advancing regional solutions to regional challenges.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and neither should our response.
This morning, together with IGAD Health Ministers, I convened the IGAD Extraordinary Health Ministerial Meeting on the current Ebola outbreak. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to collective preparedness and response.
With @pandemicfund ,@WHO and @ifrc, we pledged USD 1 million to each Member States.
I urge the public to remain vigilant, follow health guidance, and report suspected cases promptly.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Eid Mubarak! As we celebrate Eid Al-Adha, let’s remember the spirit of sacrifice, devotion, and kindness. Wishing you a beautiful day of celebration with family, friends, and plenty of blessings.

[Gakuna Kamau Kelvin (G.K) @OfficialGK_]

On the sidelines of @IGADLeadership, I shared this moment with Amb @NaijukaRacheal 🇺🇬 both aspiring diplomats reflecting on the future of East African diplomacy. 🇰🇪🤝🇺🇬
#KenyaUganda #EastAfrica #IGAD #EAC #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #AfricanUnity

[Racheal T Naijuka @NaijukaRacheal]

Being trained at the @IGADLeadership Academy was more than learning ,it was preparation for leadership, service, and becoming part of a generation of young trained diplomats hoping to shape Uganda’s future.👏🏽

@taniasreusables

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Today I arrived in Jigjiga, the capital of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia to participate in the Elite Dialogue on Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa.
An important gathering to reflect on the challenges facing our region and chart a way forward.
I thank H.E. President Mustefa Mohamed Omer for the kind invitation to this important conference

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Honoured to attend the inauguration ceremony of H.E. President-elect @KagutaMuseveni at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, Uganda.
As a founding Member State, Uganda continues to play an important role in advancing regional peace, security, cooperation, and stability across the region and beyond. I am grateful for the warm welcome extended to me and the IGAD delegation.
I convey my best wishes to H.E. the President and the people of Uganda.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Today, at the IGAD Headquarters in Djibouti, I received M. Keivom, Ambassador of India to Djibouti and IGAD.
We discussed strengthening the IGAD-India partnership in areas of mutual benefit. I also received an invitation from H.E. Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, to participate in the upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.
IGAD looks forward to deepening this strategic partnership for a more prosperous future.

[IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) @IGADLeadership]

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻–𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

Representing IGAD Executive Secretary @DrWorkneh , the ILA team and alumni were honoured to attend a policy speech by Japan’s Foreign Minister H.E. Motegi Toshimitsu in Nairobi, at the invitation of @JapaninKenya.
In his address “Shaping the Future of Japan–Africa Relations through a Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, H.E. Motegi highlighted three pillars of Japan’s partnership with Africa, including peace and stability, mutual economic growth, and youth empowerment.
#RisingWithIGAD #FOIPS

[ICEPCVE @IGAD_CEPCVE]

The Centre Director, @DrKinyanjui, had the honour of attending a policy speech on “Japan’s Foreign Policy in Africa: Co-Created Partnerships in a Changing Geopolitical Order”, organised by @JapaninKenya in collaboration with @GLOCEPS1, to mark the visit of H.E. MOTEGI Toshimitsu to the Republic of 🇰🇪. @MofaJapan_en @JapanEthiopia #FOIPS

[ICEPCVE @IGAD_CEPCVE]

We are pleased to share the Revised IGAD Regional Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (2026-2030), a renewed framework to strengthen regional resilience.

Access the strategy: https://t.co/HRBKK4D4lz

We welcome your feedback & continued collaboration: [email protected]

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

On the margins of the #IGAD Mediation Reflection Conference in Nairobi, I met with H.E. Amb. Pekka Haavisto, the UN’s Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Sudan. We discussed ways to enhance the IGAD Quintet architecture (AU, IGAD, UN, LAS  & EU) and to explore pathways to peace in Sudan. We committed to creating an accountability mechanism/framework and coordinating diplomatic efforts to promote an inclusive, Sudanese-led mediation that addresses the root causes of the conflict and works towards lasting peace.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

My speech on Reimagining Mediation at the first IGAD Mediation Reflection Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

The world stands at a crossroads, tested by conflict, tensions, and uncertainty.
The future of mediation will not be shaped by theory, but by practice grounded in the realities of people affected by conflict.
At the first IGAD Mediation Reflection Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside H.E. @MusaliaMudavadi and partners, we reflected on the urgent need to move from statements to concrete principles, practical tools, and coordinated action.
Mediation must connect dialogue to action, and commitments to lasting peace.

[ICEPCVE @IGAD_CEPCVE]

In his opening remarks, Centre Director @DrKinyanjui conveyed @DrWorkneh’s regards and emphasized that resilience is built within communities, through everyday interactions where early signs of tension are first detected. He stressed the need to invest in, listen to, and empower communities as the first line of defense.

“Early warning is only meaningful if it leads to early action and that requires trust, coordination, and the courage to respond before situations escalate.” ~ Dr. Simon Nyambura
#Brace4Peace #CoP4PCVE

[ICEPCVE @IGAD_CEPCVE]

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 | 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁

Join the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) for the 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺.

The event will introduce the updated regional framework guiding collective efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism across the IGAD region.

📅 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: April 29, 2026
🕒 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 11:30am-12:30pm EAT
💻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺: Zoom

🔗 Register here:
https://t.co/0hrrJxrFHu

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Our region continues to face food insecurity, but that is not the only challenge before us. We are also still behind in the fight for food safety, food security, and climate resilience.

This morning, on the margins of the World Bank Spring Meetings, I met with the Head of the Adaptation Fund, Mr Mikko Ollikainen, and the Chief Executive Officer of Action Against Hunger, Dr Charles Owubah, to explore stronger partnerships for resilience across the region.
I underscored that this is no time for fragmented efforts. Our response must be bold, coordinated, and focused on one goal: reducing fragility and strengthening resilience for the people of our region.

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

📢 Call for Applications – Blue Grant Scholarship

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development invites applications for the Blue Grant Scholarship under the BE-Prosper initiative.

In partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC), this programme offers graduate study opportunities in Canada for candidates from Djibouti, Somalia, and South Sudan, focusing on blue economy, fisheries, and ocean governance.

🎓 Key Highlights

Two-step process: IGAD screening → UBC admission
Fields: marine sciences, environmental economics, engineering, and related areas
Financial support available (tuition, stipend, travel – subject to conditions)

🌍 Eligibility
Professionals (25–40) with a relevant degree, experience, and a strong commitment to sustainable blue economy development in the IGAD region.
📩 Apply with: Letter of Interest, CV, and degree certificate

🗓 Deadline: April 30, 2026

Read more: https://t.co/xjzNU4n0ek

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

In Africa, border regions are too often where poverty, fragility, and neglect converge, while in more developed parts of the world, borders are where connectivity, growth, and opportunity thrive.
This must concern us.
At the 28th Horn of Africa Initiative meeting on prioritising corridors to enhance trade and connectivity, I reiterated that borderlands must be placed at the centre of sustainable development in our region.
Corridors must not only move goods. They must also create opportunity for the communities that live along them.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Africa’s security is no longer shaped only at physical borders. It is also being tested in the digital space.
Honoured to speak at the 3rd Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Kenya, organised by the Government of Kenya, a vital platform for strengthening African security cooperation at a time of rapidly evolving threats.
I underscored that misinformation, propaganda, deepfakes, and digital manipulation now pose real security risks and demand stronger African cooperation, African led solutions, and sustained collective action to safeguard peace, stability, and security across our continent.