The African Union Border Programme (AUBP), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and its member states, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, convened to establish a coordination mechanism for technical experts on border governance. The meeting, which took place from September 16^th to 18^th, 2025, in Mombasa, Kenya, aimed to review and develop strategies for implementing the AU Border Programme in the IGAD region. It was chaired by Ms Wafa Kassim Ali, representative of the IGAD Chairperson, the Republic of Djibouti. 

The meeting was held in accordance with the various decisions and policies of the African Union, including the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation and the AU Better Integrated Border Governance Strategy, which have emphasised the importance of coordinating the implementation of the AU Border Programme at national, regional and continental levels. 

This meeting, therefore, provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the various efforts IGAD and its member states are undertaking towards implementing the African Union Border Programme, as well as sharing experiences and lessons learned in managing transboundary resources and cross-border cooperation from Central and Western Africa. Additionally, following the presentation on the AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) and other relevant treaties and conventions related to transhumance, member states also discussed the steps needed to sign and ratify the convention.

Participants adopted the following recommendations for integrated border governance in the region, including the need to establish a Regional Technical Committee to coordinate and advise Member States on border governance, aligned with IGAD Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063, and the African Union Border Programme; promote peaceful and integrated borders by supporting dispute prevention, delimitation and demarcation, joint border management, and harmonised cross-border policies that foster good neighbourliness and regional integration; advance continental commitments by working with the African Union Commission to accelerate the signing, ratification, and domestication of the Niamey Convention and strengthen synchronised cross-border cooperation; enhance capacity and resources through annual technical meetings, information-sharing, targeted training, and resource mobilisation to support national and regional border management institutions.

The AUBP, IGAD, and member states expressed their gratitude to the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya for their exceptional hospitality and support in hosting this meeting. This event marks a significant step for the IGAD region towards the consistent and predictable implementation of the African Union Border Programme and border governance, thereby fostering a peaceful, secure, and prosperous region.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Paschal Chem-Langhee | Communication Coordinator, Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) I African Union Commission I Email: Chem-LangheeP@AfricanUnion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org | Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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