Govt urges IGAD to commit funding for regional peace efforts
By Nancy Marende, July 24, 2025The government has called upon the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to commit funding and technical support for regional peace efforts.
Speaking on Thursday, July 24, 2025, when she convened the IGAD Regional Forum for Eminent Personalities and Leaders on Peace in Nairobi, Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo said the support would sustain the region’s peacebuilding efforts.
“I therefore invite this IGAD through this Council to take decisive action to commit funding and technical support, including bilateral and multilateral contributions that sustain our collective wisdom-building efforts,” she stated.
The CS also vowed legal, financial, and institutional support to IGAD’s peace efforts to enhance regional stability through inclusive preventative diplomacy.
“On behalf of the Government of Kenya, and with gratitude to IGAD and all partners, I pledge our legal, financial, and institutional support to the work of the IGAD Council of Eminent Personalities. Together, let us harness our collective wisdom to broaden the circle of peace and strengthen regional stability through truly inclusive preventive diplomacy,” she added.
On his part, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, stated that the government will continue to strengthen IGASD’s institutional capacity to respond effectively to regional peace and security challenges.
“Kenya reiterates its strong commitment to IGAD and to regional peace and security. We will continue to support the deployment of eminent personalities and the strengthening of IGAD’s institutional capacity to respond effectively to peace and security challenges in our region,” he said.
He also called for the inclusion of under-represented groups in the peace processes to build legitimate and durable peace.
“I wish to emphasise the need to ensure that women, youth, and other under-represented groups are included in peace processes. The wisdom of eminent personalities should go hand in hand with intergenerational dialogue and inclusive consultations to build legitimate and durable peace. Peacebuilding cannot succeed if large segments of society remain excluded,” he said.
IGAD Forum
The IGAD Regional Forum for Eminent Personalities and Leaders for Peace brought together respected elders, former heads of state, scholars, and civic leaders across the region.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu stated that the forum prepares the Authority for the conferment of diplomatic status to its preventative diplomacy missions with member state support, as well as the institutionalising of the Council of Eminent Personalities.
“First, we will confer full diplomatic status to our preventive diplomacy missions with the complete support of Member States. This represents a transformation from reactive to proactive peacebuilding, thereby saving countless lives and resources and preventing wars before they begin,” he said.
“Second, elevating and cementing the status of this council of eminent personalities through full endorsement and formal institutional recognition within IGAD’s policy organs.”
Furthermore, stated that the enhanced visibility and operational coherence will harmonise peace missions, avoiding costly duplication while ensuring subsidiarity in its conflict resolution efforts