# Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tana-high-level-forum-on-security-in-africa
> Updated: 2026-10-24T12:39:46.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

The 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa convened in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, from October 23 to 25, 2026. Under the theme ‘Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,’ the forum brought together political leaders, diplomats, and security specialists to address regional stability and the continent’s role in a changing global order.

African Union Chairperson and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye opened the forum by linking economic independence to geopolitical autonomy. He advocated for converting early warning systems into early action to prevent conflicts in the Sahel, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service Director General, Redwan Hussien, warned of militarization and global power competition in the Horn of Africa, specifically noting threats to maritime trade in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also addressed the forum, emphasizing the need for civilian protection and the defense of constitutional order. He promoted the ‘Medemer’ philosophy to foster local solutions and argued that African nations must strengthen economic sovereignty to actively shape, rather than merely adapt to, the global order.

## Claims

- The 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa is being held from October 23 to 25 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The forum is convened by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye is the current Chairperson of the African Union. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Évariste Ndayishimiye called for transforming early warning into early action to address conflicts. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Redwan Hussien warned that the Horn of Africa faces pressure from militarization and foreign power competition. (single source)
- Maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb strait is a key concern for regional stability. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed calls for civilian protection and African sovereignty

At the XII Tana High-Level Forum, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed called for civilian protection and urged Africa to pursue economic sovereignty and active roles in shaping the global order.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ethiopian-pm-abiy-ahmed-calls-for-civilian-protection-and-african-sovereignty

### 2026-10-23: Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa convenes in Ethiopia

The 12th Tana High-Level Forum in Ethiopia gathers African leaders to discuss economic sovereignty and security, focusing on maritime safety and transforming early warnings into proactive peace actions.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tana-forum-convenes-in-ethiopia-to-discuss-african-security

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Cite as: Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tana-high-level-forum-on-security-in-africa