The Observer Missions of the African Union, the Carter Center, the Commonwealth, the European Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, East African Community, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa to the 2013 Kenya Elections headed by His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, His Excellency Rupiah Banda, His Excellency Festus Mogae, Mr. Alojz Peterle, Amb. Simbi Veke Mubako, Amb. Dr. Berhane Ghebray, Hon. Abdulrahman Kinana and Mr.

The third Interim Steering Committee Meeting of the IGAD Drought Resilience and Sustainability Initiative was convened at the AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This one day technical meeting precedes a General Assembly meeting.

Background

IGAD member states to work together as a region to increase investment towards ending drought emergencies by building sustainable livelihoods.

High-ranking officials of IGAD Member States convene today at Kampala’s Munyonyo common wealth resort to launch a regional strategy on conflict early warning and response. The meeting, that will be presided over by First Lady and Minister of Karamoja Affairs of the Republic of Uganda Hon. Janet Museveni, marks a significant commitment by Member States on early warning information-sharing, as well as joint policy and operational response to emerging threats of violent conflict.

With less than two weeks to go before the end of the Transition, we remain increasingly concerned that the selection of the new Somali Parliament continues to be jeopardized by individuals who are seeking to undermine this critical process. We are approaching the very last milestones of the roadmap and any attempt to undermine, manipulate, delay or derail this process would be unacceptable. We are of the view that long-suffering Somali people deserve a reassuring future.

02 July 2012

Drought is one of the biggest causes of disaster in Africa resulting into loss of lives, abstract poverty and massive socio-economic effects. The IGAD secretariat hosted key partners and member state representatives to deliberate on the way forward in regards to building drought resilience in the IGAD region on 2nd July at the office headquarters. Present at the meeting were representatives from USAID, FAO, WFP, UN, WORLD BANK, ITALY, DENMARK, JFF, EU, amongst others. Each of IGAD member states also attended the very important meeting.

Reaffirming its commitment and support, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany signed an agreement with IGAD to enhance the capacity of the organization to achieve its mandate and increase drought resilience in the region.

The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Eng. Mahboub Maalim, who signed the agreement in the presence of Mr. Mathias Richter, The Chargé d'affaires of the German Embassy of Djibouti, underlined the long friendship and cooperation between IGAD and Germany.

(excerpt)

Summary

March to May constitutes an important rainfall season over the equatorial parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) region. The regional consensus climate outlook for the March to May 2012 rainfall season indicates increased likelihood of near normal to below normal rainfall over much of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) region. Increased likelihood of near normal to above normal rainfall is indicated over southwestern Tanzania, southwestern Ethiopia, South Sudan and southwestern Sudan.