The Tana Forum Secretariat is very excited to announce this year’s Tana Forum keynote speaker, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He has a background in constitutional law and with 30 years of professional experience, he has occupied several senior governmental positions including the positions of foreign minister and Prime Minister in his native country of Chad.
Chairperson Faki will present his keynote address to current and former heads of state and government and all tana forum participants at the opening ceremony of the Tana Forum 2019 on 4 May 2019 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia under the theme “Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends.
Chairperson Faki has over the years encouraged efforts to normalise relations and promote good neighbourliness, enhance peace and stability, and advance regional integration. In particular, in 2018, he commended the leaders of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia for their steadfast efforts and commitment to the higher interests of their people and the region as a whole.
Following the signing of the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation between Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea in Asmara, on 5 September 2018, as well as the visit to Djibouti undertaken by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials on 6 September 2018. Chairperson Faki reiterated that these steps taken are a major milestone in Africa’s endeavour to silence the guns by 2020 and promote deeper regional and continental integration. He expressed that reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia and other positive subsequent developments in the Horn of Africa have proved that peace is within reach when the required political will exists.
He has also reiterated that these regionally-led efforts are also a clear demonstration of the value and effectiveness of the search for African solutions to African problems. Chairperson Faki looks forward to similar bold initiatives and concrete results in other conflict and crisis situations on the continent.
Professionally, Chairperson Faki has a background in constitutional law and with 30 years of experience. He has occupied several senior governmental positions including Foreign Minister and Prime Minister in Chad. He has also gained a global reputation as a peace broker in Africa, as his tenure at the African Union has placed a central focus on peace and security issues in Africa.