A great honor to lead & organize the high-level #regional forum on coop’n & coord’n mechanism against #Transnational #Security #Threats kicked off today presided by H.E @DrWorkneh & attended by high dignitaries led by the #IGAD Committee of Ambassadors. #IGADCooperationOnTSTs

This afternoon, I joined fellow Chief Executive Officers of the African Union Regional Economic Communities in a meeting chaired by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to discuss strengthening AU–REC coordination and enhancing collaboration through joint planning and information sharing for the benefit of our people. During the meeting, I reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to working with the African Union, RECs, and Member States, guided by the principles of subsidiarity, complementarity, and comparative advantage, to advance regional integration and shared prosperity.

Received H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Italy’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of South Sudan, and IGAD. We exchanged on the challenges facing regional peace and security. We also deliberated on a roadmap for the revitalization of the IGAD Partners Forum co-chaired by IGAD and Italy, to strengthen support for the institution for enhanced service delivery for our people.

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.

🌍 REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST #IGAD invites qualified individual consultants from IGAD Member States to express interest in supporting the development of the IGAD Region Peace and Security Sector Strategy (2026–2030). The consultancy will contribute to the design of a comprehensive regional framework that strengthens cooperation on peace, security, conflict prevention, mediation, resilience, and sustainable peacebuilding across the IGAD region. 📅 Deadline: June 30, 2026, 23:59 HRS EAT (GMT 3) 📩 Submit now: igad.int/consultancies/ 👉 Help shape the future of peace, security, and regional stability in the IGAD region. If you have expertise in policy development, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, or regional cooperation, learn more and submit your Expression of Interest: igad.int/job/consultancy-for… #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 1 June 2026 IGAD’s Election Observation Mission to Ethiopia met with the Ambassadors of Denmark and the United States to exchange perspectives on the ongoing electoral process and the broader political environment. The discussions focused primarily on voter turnout and the overall conduct of polling. The EOM also shared updates on the strategic deployment of its observers across the country, which continues to be guided by security assessments and logistical planning. The #IGAD Mission, jointly with the African Union, will present their preliminary findings during a press conference on 3 June 2026. A comprehensive final report will be formally submitted following the official announcement of the election results. #IGADEOM #EthiopiaDecides2026

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.

✅ Day 1 Highlights: National Judicial Training for senior Ethiopian judges. Day 1 of the #IGAD Security Sector Program’s (@IGADISSP ) National Judicial Training on Financing of Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Technology-Enabled Crimes, such as cryptocurrencies in the Horn of Africa Region, concluded with focused discussions on the evolving threat landscape and the critical role of the judiciary in addressing complex national and transnational security threats. The sessions examined the nexus between terrorism financing, money laundering, and technology-enabled crimes, including how #terrorist and criminal networks exploit formal banking systems, informal remittances, charities, mobile money, cryptocurrencies, and digital platforms. Participants also explored legal and institutional frameworks for #counterterrorism, intelligence-led investigations, financial intelligence, admissible evidence, and the role of judges in safeguarding due process, #humanrights, and judicial independence. Through expert presentations, case studies, group discussions, and plenary reflections, Day 1 laid a strong foundation for the upcoming days. This training is supported by the Government of Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #ISSP #SecuritySector

✅ Day 2 Highlights: IGAD Strengthens Judicial Capacity Against Complex Security Threats. 📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia | 16 May 2026 Day 2 of the IGAD Security Sector Program’s National Judicial Training concluded with practical sessions on financial and digital evidence, judicial oversight, and inter-agency cooperation to address complex security threats. Participants examined terrorist-funding tracing, suspicious activity reports, beneficial ownership, trade-based money-laundering indicators, bank records, digital evidence, encrypted communications, dark web material, #cryptocurrency transaction analysis, AI-generated content, and #deepfakes. The sessions also explored judicial oversight of special investigative and surveillance techniques, including interception, undercover operations, controlled deliveries, safeguards against unlawfully obtained evidence, and the protection of constitutional rights during counter-terrorism efforts. Day 2 further highlighted cooperation mechanisms on money laundering and terrorism financing, including information sharing, mutual legal assistance, asset recovery cooperation, and coordination among law enforcement, financial, regulatory, and judicial institutions. This training is generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis

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

✅ Day 3: IGAD Strengthens Judicial Capacity Against Complex Security Threats. 📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia | 17 May 2026 Day 3 of the IGAD Security Sector Program’s National Judicial Training on Financing of Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Technology-Enabled Crimes is underway. Today’s sessions focus on the adjudication of complex multi-jurisdictional security cases, asset freezing, seizure and confiscation, as well as the development of practical recommendations and policy briefs to strengthen judicial response to evolving security threats. The discussions will further enhance the capacity of senior Ethiopian judges to address cases involving terrorism financing, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, human trafficking, money laundering, technology-enabled crimes, and asset recovery within the Horn of Africa’s evolving security landscape. This training is generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #AML #CFT #Ethiopia#Judiciary #ISSP

✅ Closing Session: IGAD Strengthens Judicial Capacity Against Complex Security Threats. 📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia | 17 May 2026 IGAD Security Sector Program has successfully concluded the three-day National Judicial Training on Financing of Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Technology-Enabled Crimes for senior Ethiopian judges. The training strengthened judicial understanding of terrorism financing, money laundering, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, human trafficking, digital evidence, financial intelligence, intelligence-led investigations, asset recovery, and inter-agency cooperation. Over the three days, participants engaged in expert presentations, case studies, scenario-based discussions, simulations, and practical sessions aimed at enhancing the adjudication of complex national and transnational security cases while safeguarding due process, human rights, and judicial independence. The closing session featured the certification of participants, marking the successful completion of the training and recognition of their active engagement throughout the three days. This training reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to supporting Member States in building resilient justice and security institutions capable of responding to evolving threats across the Region. This training was generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #AML #CFT #Ethiopia #Judiciary #ISSP

✅ Day 2 | IGAD Strengthens Judicial Capacity Against Complex Security Threats. 📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia | 16 May 2026 Day 2 of the #IGAD Security Sector Program’s National Judicial Training on Financing of Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Technology-Enabled Crimes is underway. Today’s sessions focus on financial evidence, digital evidence, technology-enabled crimes, judicial oversight of special investigative and surveillance techniques, and domestic and international cooperation mechanisms on money laundering and #terrorism financing. The discussions will further strengthen the capacity of senior Ethiopian judges to adjudicate complex security cases involving terrorism financing, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, human trafficking, money laundering, and emerging technology-enabled threats in the Horn of Africa. This training is generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #AML #CFT #Ethiopia#Judiciary #ISSP

Glad to open @IGADISSP’s nat’l Judicial trng for #Ethiopia highcourt judges on #CFT, #AML, & tech-enabled #crimes. I emphasized that a well-equipped, well-informed, & well-connected judiciary is a powerful tool to address the threats. Grateful to @EmbSpainAddis for the support.

📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia 📆 15-17 May 2026 Advancing Judicial Response to Evolving Security Threats in the IGAD Region The Division’s Security Sector Program’s (@IGADISSP) National Judicial Training on Financing of Terrorism, Money Laundering, and Technology-Enabled Crimes commenced. The training will examine the nexus between #terrorism financing, money laundering, Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF), human trafficking, and technology-enabled crimes, including how terrorist and criminal networks exploit formal banking systems, informal remittances, charities, mobile money, #cryptocurrencies, and digital platforms. Over the next three days, participants will explore legal and institutional frameworks for #counterterrorism, intelligence-led investigations, financial intelligence, admissible evidence, and the judicial role in safeguarding due process, human rights, and judicial independence. This training is generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #IGAD #Ethiopia

📆 15-17 May 2026 📍 Bishoftu, Ethiopia #IGAD Strengthens Judicial Capacity Against Complex Security Threats The three-day National Judicial Training for senior Ethiopian high court judges on Financing of #Terrorism, #MoneyLaundering, and Technology-Enabled #Crimes has officially kicked off. The opening session featured remarks and Keynote speeches from: ·Mrs. Nejat Abdulrahman @NejatIssa- Head, IGAD Security Sector Program (@IGAD_SSP) · Mr. Siraj Abdella – Director of IGAD Affairs of @MFA of Ethiopia · H.E. Mrs Lalise Deselegne - President of the Ethiopian Federal High Court. · H.E. Ambassador Guillermo Antonio López Mac_Lellan – Ambassador of Spain to the FDRE. · Commander @AbebeMuluneh – Director, @IGADPeace The training aims to strengthen judicial capacity to adjudicate complex cases of terrorism financing, money laundering, and cyber-enabled crimes. In addition, it covers the aspects of financial intelligence, digital evidence, asset recovery, and inter-agency cooperation, while safeguarding due process, human rights, and judicial independence. Through expert presentations, case studies, simulations, and scenario-based discussions, the training will support judges in responding to evolving national and transnational security threats with greater technical confidence, consistency, and institutional coordination. This training is generously supported by the Government of #Spain. @MAECgob @EmbSpainAddis #AML #CFT #Ethiopia #Judiciary

The media is not a spectator to Africa’s transformation, it is a driving force. As digital innovation and AI reshape the landscape, they expand access to information while also risking the spread of content that erodes trust. Today, at the Annual Pan-African Media Summit 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya I called on the media to shape narratives that reflect our realities and define our future, as a guardian of truth and a force shaping society. At IGAD, we remain committed to advocating media sustainability and safeguarding editorial integrity across our Member States and beyond.

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.

IGAD Executive Secretary Arrives in Uganda for Presidential Inauguration Ceremony H.E. @DrWorkneh, Executive Secretary of IGAD, has arrived in Kampala, Uganda, to attend the inauguration ceremony of H.E. @KagutaMuseveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. His participation underscores IGAD’s commitment to regional solidarity, cooperation and continued engagement with Member States in advancing peace, stability and development across the region. @StateHouseUg #OneRegionOneFuture #RisingWithIGAD

Had a productive call with IGAD Executive Secretary @DrWorkneh Gebeyehu yesterday. We discussed our common efforts to support conflict resolution in the Horn of Africa and the wider region. The United States, IGAD, and our international partners are committed to efforts to promote peace, security, and prosperity.

Honoured to join Heads of State, Government and regional leaders in Djibouti for the inauguration ceremony of H.E. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President-elect of the Republic of Djibouti. I extend my congratulations to His Excellency and to the people of Djibouti on this important national occasion. As host of the IGAD Secretariat, Djibouti remains central to our shared work for peace, stability and regional integration.