Differences between Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and EAC?

1. Membership: The Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a regional organization in East Africa consisting of eight member states, namely Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. On the other hand, the East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization consisting of six member states, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

2. Focus: IGAD primarily focuses on political and security issues in the region, such as conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and security cooperation. The organization also works on economic integration and development initiatives. In contrast, the EAC focuses on economic integration and development, with a focus on promoting trade, investment, and infrastructure development within the region.

3. Structure: IGAD has a Secretariat based in Djibouti, which is responsible for coordinating the organization's activities and implementing its decisions. The EAC also has a Secretariat based in Arusha, Tanzania, which serves a similar function. However, the EAC also has a number of specialized institutions, such as the East African Development Bank and the East African Legislative Assembly.

4. Legal Framework: The EAC has a more advanced legal framework compared to IGAD. The EAC has a Treaty establishing the organization, which sets out the objectives, structure, and functions of the organization. IGAD, on the other hand, does not have a formal treaty establishing the organization, but rather operates based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by its member states.

5. Regional Integration: The EAC has made more progress in terms of regional integration compared to IGAD. The EAC has a Customs Union, Common Market, and plans for a Monetary Union and Political Federation. IGAD, on the other hand, has focused more on political and security issues and has not made as much progress in terms of economic integration.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

- Membership: Focuses on the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda)
- Goal: Promote cooperation and integration in the Horn of Africa region in areas such as food security, environmental protection, peacebuilding, and economic development.
- Established: 1996
- Headquarters: Djibouti City, Djibouti
- Governance: Assembly of Heads of State and Government (highest decision-making body)
- Key focus areas: Drought and famine relief, conflict resolution, environmental governance, infrastructure development

East African Community (EAC)

- Membership: Focuses on Eastern Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda)
- Goal: Establish a common market and customs union, promote economic integration, and political cooperation.
- Established: 2000 (successor to the East African Community founded in 1967)
- Headquarters: Arusha, Tanzania
- Governance: Summit of Heads of State (highest decision-making body)
- Key focus areas: Customs union, common market, infrastructure development, political cooperation

Key Differences

| Feature | IGAD | EAC |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Horn of Africa | Eastern Africa |
| Goals | Regional cooperation and integration, with emphasis on drought relief and conflict resolution | Economic integration and political cooperation |
| Membership | 8 countries | 6 countries |
| Established | 1996 | 2000 |
| Key focus areas | Drought and famine relief, conflict resolution, environmental governance, infrastructure development | Customs union, common market, infrastructure development, political cooperation |