Nouakchott, Mauritania
Sahel : pastoralism, a key to development (the Nouakchott Declaration)
November 07, 2013
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From 19 – 21 November 2025, experts and ministers from IGAD Member States gathered in Addis Ababa to advance regional solutions for pastoralism, transhumance and livestock development. The technical expert meeting prepared a set of recommendations and a Ministerial Communiqué focused on unlocking pastoral livelihoods and boosting livestock productivity through transboundary cooperation.
Dr. Baba Soumare, WOAH Deputy Director General for Global Framework Coordination and Capacity-Building, delivered WOAH’s message to the Excellencies, highlighting WOAH’s commitment to strengthening Veterinary Services, harmonising standards, and promoting risk-based, cooperative approaches to safe animal movement and trade. WOAH also announced a consolidation of a regional framework on animal movement and capacity-building for Veterinary Services to support IGAD countries.
Dr. Neo Mapitse, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, was also present in the meeting and supported the experts of the IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) in drafting the technical recommendations.
Key outcomes and priorities from the meeting were:
Emphasis on harmonised veterinary certification, enhanced disease surveillance, and regional information-sharing to manage transboundary animal diseases.
Commitment to invest in veterinary infrastructure, workforce development and emergency preparedness.
IGAD Member States include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
Overview of the Ministers and VIPs on the podium. Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Baba Soumare (left) with the Hon Deputy Minister for Livestock and Range of Somalia, HE Adan Mohamed Ali (right). Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Baba Soumaré (right) with H.E Dr Efa Muleta Boru, State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Ethiopia (left). Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Baba Soumaré (left) with the WOAH Delegate and CVO of Kenya, Dr Allan Azegele (right). Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Neo Mapitse, WOAH Representative for Eastern Africa (right), showing the Representative for Sudan, how the WAHIS reporting and information system works. Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Fltr : Dr Allan Azegele (Kenya), Dr Baba Soumare (WOAH), Dr Christopher Wanga (Kenya) and Dr Neo Mapitse (WOAH) on the sidelines of the meeting. Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Baba Soumare, WOAH Deputy Director General. Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
Dr Neo Mapitse (WOAH) on the right, together with the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Peter Teko Lokeris (Uganda). Picture (c) communication (woah) 2025.
