Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 7 May 2019 – The eighth Tana Forum High-Level Forum on Security in Africa gathered over 200 participants to discuss the theme “Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends”. The two-day Forum attracted experts and officials from across the continent, including Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, four former Heads of State and Government from Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and the Central African Republic, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and several ministers from Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia.
The Forum brought forth discussions on peace prospects in the Horn of Africa focusing on the new era of inter-state engagement in the Horn and its implications for regional integration; as well as the emerging trends of migration and the free movement of people in the Horn of Africa.
President Zewde in her welcome address described the region as having “entered a new area of multilateralism for peace and security”. She also noted that the challenges in the future will require a better understanding of the region.
In his keynote address, H.E Mahamat noted that the African Union’s efforts over the years have encouraged member states to adopt different formal and informal structural frameworks and mechanisms towards normalizing relations and promote good neighbourliness, enhance peace and stability, and advance regional integration on the continent. He commended the leaders of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia for their continued commitments to ensure peace and stability for their people and the region as a whole.
The Programme included the Annual Book Launch celebrating the book “Fighting for Peace in Somalia: A history and analysis of the African Union Mission (AMISOM), 2007-2017” authored by Paul D William; The Annual Meles Zenawi Lecture that paid tribute to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela; presentations from this year’s Essay Competition winners; Zac Chiliswa, Osei Godfred Amankwah, and Muhammed Seid Ahmed.and the Presentation of the State of Peace and Security in Africa presented by the Tana Forum Board Chairperson, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
The Forum’s programme also featured four side-events held in partnership with the Africa Union (AU), the European Union Office to the AU, Munich Security Conference, The United States Institute for Peace and Bahir Dar University. These side events provoked in-depth dialogue on the current issues facing the Horn of Africa including Regional Integration through economic and political stability, the future of Peacekeeping and captured innovative discussions that drew lessons from shared experiences and how to best forge sustainable multilateral cooperations.
In conclusion “quote from closing ceremony”. (You could quote H.E Mahama – and his thankful note- also look out for any futuristic ideas he might have mentioned)
For more information contact Michelle Mendi Muita, Tana Forum Communications Coordinator, at +251 929 169 936 and m.muita@ipss-addis.org.
Please note that all Tana Forum documents can be accessed under https://tanaforum.org/tana-2019/