Chagula Aloyce M2025-09-142025-09-142024https://repository.ndu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/115Using a case study of the Somalia Conflict, this research study evaluated the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) efficacy in managing regional conflicts. IGAD has played a pivotal role in addressing the complex web of conflicts that have afflicted its member countries over the years. The study objectives included analyzing the contextual factors such as historical, political, and socio economic dynamics on the effectiveness of IGAD, assessing the role of IGAD in effectively managing regional conflicts as well as analyzing the primary elements influencing the efficacy of IGAD in regional conflict management. This study was guided by Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) which seeks to explain how governments and other entities interact and create security complexes based on shared historical experiences, shared security threats, and interdependencies in a certain geographical region. The theory contends that IGAD's role in regional conflict resolution might be interpreted as an endeavor to establish a security community in the Horn of Africa. This study's research design used a mixed methods approach. This approach use adopted to gather in-depth insight into a problem or generate new ideas for the research. The study employed various methods to collect secondary data to be used in the study. The research findings show that, IGAD has consistently positioned itself as a mediator, facilitating dialogue and providing neutral platforms for negotiations to prevent conflicts from escalating, support peace negotiations, arrange ceasefires, use of peacebuilding techniques, and keep track of agreements. However, there are key factors that affect the Effectiveness of IGAD in Regional Conflict Management which include necessity of strong political will and leadership among member nations which can encourage coordinated action and resource allocation, strengthening IGAD's ability to successfully resolve regional disputes. The study recommends that, to bolster technical competencies, IGAD must invest in staff training, lessons learning systems, and targeted research. Regular exchanges with partner organizations cultivate specialized expertise in fields like preventive diplomacy, mediation techniques, transition governance and DDR. To improve political accountability and independence, the IGAD Secretariat must be reinforced. IGAD needs to have the authority to direct member nations and support attempts to resolve disputes.enThesis