IGAD and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa: Assessment of its Role and Effectiveness in Regional Politics (1996–2026)

Abstract:
This study examines the role of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in managing conflicts in the Horn of Africa during the period 1996–2026, with a focus on assessing its effectiveness in a complex and internationalized regional environment. The central research question explores the extent to which IGAD has succeeded in containing armed conflicts and structuring political processes across the region.

The research adopts a comparative case study approach, analyzing three major cases: Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. It draws on key International Relations perspectives, including Realism, Liberal Institutionalism, and Constructivism, to interpret the organization’s behavior and constraints. The study develops an operational definition of effectiveness based on four indicators: conflict containment, management of political processes, sustainability of outcomes, and institutional impact.

The findings suggest that although IGAD has not emerged as a decisive actor capable of achieving comprehensive conflict resolution, it has played a meaningful role in containing violence and facilitating transitional political arrangements. The study also demonstrates that IGAD’s effectiveness is strongly influenced by the degree of consensus among its member states and is constrained by increasing international involvement in regional conflicts. Despite structural and political limitations, IGAD remains a critical regional platform for conflict management in the Horn of Africa ■