This nation bordered on the east by Ethiopia and Kenya, sharing a border with Uganda and the Congo on the south faces its greatest challenge from what is now known as North Sudan.

Under the leadership of President Salva Kiir, South Sudan adopted the motto of “Justice, Liberty& Prosperity”. Beneath its flag composed of a black, red and green horizontal stripes bisected by a blue triangle bearing a yellow star, this new nation is beset with problems regarding its rich mineral resources such as diamonds, gold and most-importantly oil.

The second major issue involves the northern area of Abyei that is not only rich in oil but encompasses some thirteen-hundred miles of very fertile land. The day-to-day existence of the majority of its people who are of Niolitic tribal origin depends on farming, maintaining livestock and fishing the portion of the Nile River passing through the area.

Until 1956, all of Sudan was considered an Egyptian territory. Independence has brought new challenges for the Sudan People\’s Liberation Army, which is the formal name for the military force of South Sudan.

The objectives of the SPLA are the same as for any other world nation: defense of the constitution and protection of its people and their rights

In an effort to resolve conflict regarding the petroleum resources of South Sudan, this new nation has recently taken steps to take control of these resources that have been the main source of conflict between South and North Sudan for over fifty years with heightened wars erupting over the past twenty years.

From Juba, the capital of South Sudan, this new nation has the potential to capture the attention of an make a name for itself around the world. Home to the largest swamp in the world boasting exotic flora, birds and other fauna, development as a tourist mecca holds great economic potential for this new nation.

The African Economic Community had long awaited the benefits of regional economic development of their infrastructure. In 2008 the African Economic Community heads of state and three of the regional economic communities held their first Tripartite Summit in the fall of 2008. The three regions, COMESA, EAC and SADC, were represented, in decision making for a master plan, to develop a useful infrastruct­ure improvement that would take place along trade corridors.

The infrastructure improvements would enhance movement of goods and services in the three regions and promote an integration of trade, harmony within the three communities and economic growth.

The obstacles of the plan were also analyzed and discussed. Solutions to the vast logistics and infrastructure requirements were the main task of the First Tripartite Summit of 2008. What emerged from the brainstorming was a Trade Pilot Program focused on the development of the North South Corridor for much improved transportation routing of vehicles involved in commerce, services, trades and transportation.

The main purpose of this summit, involving the infrastructure development, was to carry out the Tripartite and IGAD Corridor Plan.

Another main objective of the Tripartite is to promote harmony among a historically turbulent area in Africa, specifically the Eastern and Southern parts of Africa.

The third goal of the Tripartite was to bolster and focus these programs so that economic development will thrive in these regions and ultimately attract more development partnerships, private sector interest and integration throughout the three regions.

Three vehicles were identified and implemented to carry out this vision. Institutional Framework, Harmonization and execution of regulations and policies and the provisional funding through the Tripartite Funding and Project Preparation Methods. Participants in the conference were very pleased with projects that were articulated during the Tripartite, particularly in the prioritizing of the projects in various regions.

­The clarity of the plan also stimulated interest from developers, investors and funding interests in and outside of the regions. Regarding satisfaction in the local Kenyan community, where the Conference took place, the hospitality and cohesive attitudes of the representatives in each of the Member State Governments was appreciated openly by the Tripartite­.

­Brief History

­The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, was created in 1996 to take the place of the IGADD (Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development). The IGADD was put in place due to the consistent and severe droughts. It was formed to help find solutions to the problems, such as lack of food, due to the droughts. While in existence, the group had slowly started to take on other issues within the region. Therefore, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development was formed.

Mission and V­ision

­The mission of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development was to help with supplying food, protecting the environment, and to help keep peace and security. They work to create well working policies in social, technological, and scientific fields. T­he group forms policies for trade, transport, along with many other projects and programs. They work toward forming free trade and for people to move freely throughout the region. They also start up and promote programs for food security and environmental protection to work against drought.

Strategy

­The strategy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development is to set up a structure to help achieve peace, prosperity, and regional integration. It uses experiences from the past, the current structure of development cooperation, along with challenges and issues that come up that the region faces.

Operational Structure of Intergovernmental Authority on Development

The IGAD is made up of four policy parts:

1. ­The Assembly of Heads of State and Government
   This group makes the policies that are to be followed.
2. The Council of Ministers
   This group helps to come up with policies, approves work programs, and the annual budget.
3. The Committee of Ambassadors
   This group comes together when needed to advise the Executive Secretary.
4. The Secretariat
   This group helps brainstorm to come up with and implement projects and programs ­that have­­ be­en approved.