Historicising the Logic of Regional Integration in the IGAD Region

This chapter delves into the intricate interplay of regional, global, and domestic factors and actors influencing IGAD’s integration in the Horn of Africa. It analyzes historical circumstances, particularly the impacts of colonialism, the Cold War, and the war on terrorism, and their implications for enduring security in the region. The exploration of these historical phenomena lays the groundwork for identifying constraints that contribute to the slow pace of IGAD's regional integration process, connecting these variables to current geopolitical dynamics in the region. Moreover, the chapter discusses the role of regional and external actors like China and the UAE in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It also explores how domestic policies and interests of member states shape the regional integration process, considering economic and national security interests that influence the conversation on the Horn of Africa's regionalism.