IGAD Parliamentary Caucus Network kicks off in Addis Ababa to Promote Development

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Parliamentary Caucus Network was officially launched today during the High Level Regional Legislators Meeting in Addis Ababa. The primary objective of the network is to promote peace, development, and regional integration in the IGAD member countries.

The three-day High-Level Regional Legislators Meeting brought together lawmakers from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Organized by the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) with the support of the Swedish government, the meeting aimed at advancing conversations on achieving gender-sensitive legislations and officially launching the IGAD Legislators Network.

The newly established network is anticipated to play a pivotal role in championing peace, security, development, and integration in the region.

Simon Nyambura, representing the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE), emphasized the significance of the network in contributing to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

“This network will not only help IGAD in terms of fighting terrorism and violent extremism but in the search for peace and stability within the region. We think that the members of parliament have a role to ensure that this region is peaceful and secure,” Nyambura stated.

Deputy Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, Lomi Bedo, emphasized the critical nature of the meeting in integrating gender perspectives into security-related legislations.

She underscored the need to strengthen cooperation among legislators in the region.

Jochim Beijmo, Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Africa at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, highlighted the global threat of violent extremism and reaffirmed Sweden’s support for IGAD.

He emphasized the importance of integrating gender equality into the process, recognizing the special needs of women and their vulnerability to extremism movements.