The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called on African regional blocs to move from isolated crisis reactions to united, strategic responses aimed at preventing conflict before it starts.
Speaking during the Fourth Policy Session of the African Union’s Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange (I-RECKE) on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu stressed the importance of stronger links between regional and continental security systems.
Dr. Workneh urged regional economic communities to treat I-RECKE as a critical platform for structured collaboration. “Africa’s security will be shaped not only by how early we detect threats, but by how boldly and collectively we act to prevent them,” he stated.
He emphasized the need for early warning mechanisms that not only spot emerging threats but also set off joint responses that stop violence before it escalates. According to Dr. Workneh, fragmented reactions have proven insufficient in the face of increasingly complex security challenges.
The I-RECKE initiative, driven by the African Union, brings together regional blocs and mechanisms across the continent. Its goal is to align conflict prevention efforts, improve information sharing, and promote timely interventions grounded in shared data and strategies.
IGAD, which serves eight member states in Eastern Africa, has been vocal in supporting systems that respond to threats faster and more effectively. The group has called for more investment in technologies and frameworks that allow regions to coordinate early and act decisively.
The AU-hosted policy session marked a key step toward reinforcing unity between regional bodies tasked with maintaining peace and stability. IGAD’s call underscores a growing consensus: Africa’s peace depends not just on warning systems, but on collective readiness to act.
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