Abstract:
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is the regional organization of eight Eastern African countries with a stated ambition to achieve peace, prosperity and economic cooperation, social and corporate development and regional integration among its member states. Each of these objectives is challenging, but none more so than the maintenance of peace and security in the region is more cumbersome. IGAD is the most conflict affected region in Africa. The study incorporated intergovernmentalism, neofunctionalism and securitization theories to explain its concepts. The political, security, structural, economic and social factors limiting the role of IGAD in maintaining peace and security in the region were reviewed. The results of this study provided a basis for regional integration policies formulation and improvement of existing ones. This ensures a more seamless regional cooperation of all involved parties. It gave a better understanding of regional peace and security promotion, strategies and their effectiveness. Finally, this study is useful to the governments of countries experiencing conflicts either internally or externally since they will know the best way to seek for interventions and from where.
Based on the findings, the study concluded that, IGAD has a long way to go as far as regional cooperation in peace and security is concerned. The region lacks a working instrument for maintaining peace in the region. The organ responsible for maintaining peace and security is also weak and undermined. States do not trust each other and hence lacks a hegemon to lead them towards achieving their objectives. Therefore, IGAD is on a deadly path towards the achievement of peace and security, hence, it is appropriate for it to review its policies and strategies to prevent further escalation of its predicament if it is to move forward and achieve its laid-out objectives.
