Bahir Dar, 04 May 2019 - Minister Dr. Richard Sezibera participated in the 8th edition of the Tana Forum 2019 held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia from 03 – 04 May 2019. He was a panelist on a side event co-organized by the Tana Forum, the Munich Security Conference and the AU on the future of peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and the necessity for burden sharing to ensure regional stability.

Africa and the Horn of Africa region has experienced an acceleration of peacekeeping operations and the proliferation of negatively contributing actors. There must be an emphasis on adapting to the changing environment through the sharing of responsibility in order to stay vigilant.

On the 2nd day of the Tana Forum, Minister Sezibera took part in a High-Level Panel discussion on peace prospects in the Horn of Africa. Minister Sezibera commended the role of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) in bringing optimism to the horn Africa and said that it must continue to be supported. He later emphasized that ‘’the Horn of Africa is a place of history but also a place of beginnings. Decolonization and bringing Africa to the African Union started in the Horn of Africa, in Ethiopia.’’

 The 8th Tana Forum discussed the theme of “Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends”. In line with recent political developments in the Horn of Africa and the remarkable rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea to address the border conflict through negotiation, this year’s Tana Forum deliberated on ways to support the political dynamics and pertinent geopolitical matters unfolding in the region.

The Forum complements formal meetings of African heads of state and government by gathering them in an informal, collaborative environment. In the spirit of discussions taking place under the Baobab tree, the Forum offers room and space for panel discussions, interaction with the floor and bilateral talks to share views and experiences in a time efficient, result-oriented and open manner.

The eighth Tana Forum High-Level Forum on Security in Africa gathered over 200 participants. The 2-day Forum attracted experts and officials from across the continent, including Ethiopian President H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde; four former Heads of State from Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Central African Republic; African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat; and several ministers from Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

End.