20 October 2025, Djibouti: the IGAD Security Sector Program (IGAD-SSP) conducted a three-days regional technical workshop on 13-15 October 2025 in Djibouti that brought together technical experts from all IGAD Member States where the operational and legal readiness of the IGAD Criminal Information/Intelligence Sharing mechanism on all issues of Transnational Security Threats (TSTs) were thoroughly discussed.
The technical workshop was officially opened by H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD who reaffirmed the call for stronger collaboration among security institutions to curb cross-border crimes, from terrorism financing to human trafficking, among others. Amb. Guelleh, representing the Host and Chair of IGAD, the Government of Djibouti also provided opening remark reaffirming Djibouti’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and coordination. Mrs Nejat Abdulrahman, the Head of IGAD Security Sector Program reiterated the long process engagement to advance regional cooperation and the representation of this workshop as a pivotal milestone that will be a stepping stone for the realization of the mechanism.
This technical workshop served as a consolidation platform, convening practitioners, legal and policy experts, and focal agencies to address the critical technical aspects of the mechanism establishing clarity, consensus, and the operational foundation required to support its final adoption and implementation. This initiative has complemented the Mombasa Declaration of January 2023 and the Mombasa Statement of December 2024, which provide concrete steps for the operationalization of the mechanism once it has been adopted by the respective IGAD Policy Organs.
The delegates thoroughly discussed on various issues and produced policy brief, recommendations, and action plan for further implementation. This workshop was supported by the European Union through the African Union Peace and Security Architecture. (END)