Eritrea withdrew from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on December 15, accusing the East African regional bloc of acting against the country’s interests, as the United Nations voiced concern over renewed tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In a statement issued on Friday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry said it was pulling out of IGAD, describing the organisation as having “forfeited its legal mandate and authority” and offering “no discernible strategic benefit” while failing to contribute meaningfully to regional stability. The assessment reflects Asmara’s position.

Eritrea first quit IGAD in 2003 before rejoining the bloc around two years ago. In its latest statement, the government said the organisation had again failed to play a constructive role in stabilising the region. IGAD responded by saying Eritrea had not participated in the bloc’s activities since it rejoined, a characterisation that reflects the organisation’s own position.

IGAD brings together Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda and plays a role in regional mediation and coordination on issues including conflict resolution, trade, transport, agriculture and environmental policy across the Horn of Africa.

Eritrea’s decision comes amid rising tensions with neighbouring Ethiopia, which fought a devastating border war with Eritrea from 1998 to 2000 before signing a peace agreement 25 years ago. In recent months, the two governments have exchanged accusations of interference, fuelling concerns about a possible return to hostilities.

Ethiopian officials have said Addis Ababa wants to secure peaceful access to the Red Sea, which Ethiopia relied on for trade before Eritrea’s independence in 1993. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in public remarks in September that losing access to the sea was a “mistake”, comments that Eritrea has described as provocative.

Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of harbouring a “long-brewing war agenda” aimed at seizing its Red Sea ports. Ethiopia, in turn, has claimed that Eritrea is “actively preparing to wage war” and supporting Ethiopian rebel groups. Both sets of accusations remain unverified.

Responding to the escalation in rhetoric, the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to recommit to lasting peace and to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The UN specifically cited the Algiers Agreement of 2000, which ended nearly three decades of conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, calling it a “crucial framework” for peace and stability and urging both sides to recommit to its provisions.