Somalia has hosted a high-level regional meeting aimed at advancing the implementation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Free Movement Protocol, as the Federal Government seeks to strengthen regional integration and facilitate the movement of people across East Africa.
The three-day meeting, which opened in Mogadishu, has brought together senior government officials, technical experts, and representatives from IGAD member states responsible for immigration, border management, and regional cooperation.
Discussions are focused on accelerating the implementation of the protocol while ensuring that security measures and national legal frameworks remain fully respected.
Somali officials said the talks are intended to identify practical steps for implementing the agreement, which is designed to make it easier for citizens of IGAD member states to travel, conduct business, pursue education, and access employment opportunities throughout the region.
The protocol is also expected to promote greater economic integration, trade, and cross-border cooperation among member countries.
Director of the Africa Department at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdulkadir Mahmoud Yusuf Burgal, said hosting the meeting reflects Somalia’s growing role in regional affairs and its commitment to advancing cooperation within IGAD.
“It is a great honor for Somalia to host this high-level IGAD meeting, and we hope it will produce practical outcomes that advance the implementation of the Free Movement Protocol,” he said.
Somalia’s Ambassador to IGAD, Mahmoud Kaashe, noted that the protocol forms part of the regional bloc’s broader strategy to deepen economic and social integration across the Horn of Africa. He said Somalia signed the agreement in March 2023 and is now working to align its immigration and refugee legislation with the protocol’s requirements.
According to Kaashe, full implementation of the agreement would ease the movement of traders, students, pastoralist communities, and professionals, while strengthening regional trade, investment, and economic growth.
IGAD has spent several years promoting the Free Movement Protocol as a cornerstone of regional integration.
However, implementation has progressed slowly due to security concerns, legal differences, and political challenges facing several member states. The Mogadishu meeting is expected to help address those obstacles and accelerate efforts toward achieving freer movement across the region.