Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa convenes in Ethiopia

The 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa is currently taking place in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, running from October 23 to 25. Under the theme ‘Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,’ the forum brings together heads of state, diplomats, security specialists, and academics to discuss regional stability and African-led security solutions.

Key discussions focus on the geopolitical pressures facing the Horn of Africa, including militarization and competition between global powers. Redwan Hussien, Director General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service, highlighted the increasing threats to maritime trade in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea, calling for collective regional and international cooperation to safeguard these vital routes.

The event serves as a platform for both formal sessions and informal bilateral meetings. Participants include high-level envoys such as the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, and special envoys from France and Germany, alongside Ethiopian officials. The forum aims to center African perspectives in decisions regarding the continent's security, economic resources, and strategic future.