The Djiboutian president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, in his capacity as chairman of IGAD, convened the meeting on January 12, attended by his counterparts William Ruto (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Hassan Shekh Mohamud (Somalia) and Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan).

As revealed in a photo published by the spokesman for the African regional body, Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, the Authority’s executive secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, and the chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, are also taking part.

Despite being part of one of the topics to be discussed at the meeting, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a letter addressed to its Djibouti counterpart, informed that it will not attend due to a prior commitment and the short notice given for the meeting.

However, it expressed its willingness to discuss alternative dates in accordance with the rules of procedure governing IGAD meetings.

In the case of Sudan, it previously announced its withdrawal from the Kampala summit emphasizing the need for a face-to-face meeting between key military leaders involved in the conflict to address urgent issues before holding broader discussions. It subsequently severed ties with the regional body.

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