Meeting of IGAD Member State Officials of Trade, Customs and Security on the Nexus between Informal cross-border trade and Cross-border Security Governance
Meeting of IGAD Member State officials of Trade, Customs and Security on the Nexus between Informal Cross-border Trade and Cross-border Security Governance that is co-convened by CEWARN in collaboration with the Life & Peace Institute, OSSREA and IAG – is in progress in Addis Ababa.
IGAD Executive Secretary Amb. Mahboub Maalim and the Director for Trade and Industry Division of the African Union Commission, Mrs. Treasure Maphanga spoke at the opening of the meeting on 22 March and emphasized the critical importance of borderlands’ security and development for the peace and prosperity of the entire IGAD region.
Informal Cross-border Trade was also recognized as a dynamic that happens on a large scale in all cross-border areas of IGAD with a potential that can be harnessed for ensuring security in the borderlands and improving the livelihood of communities residing in border areas. Security concerns related to the largely unregulated nature of informal cross-border trade was also raised.
Representatives of Trade and Customs authorities from IGAD Member States have shared their perspectives and concerns in relation to policy frameworks governing Informal cross-border trade as well as challenges in implementation.
The meeting is part of a pilot policy initiative led by CEWARN and partners with the aim of supporting well-informed and participatory regional policy processes to promote Cross-border Security Governance in the IGAD region.
