By: Anteneh Habtegiorgis
As the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar draws to a close, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia expresses its profound gratitude to the Heads of State and Government, continental leaders, policymakers, scholars, and peacebuilders who joined us on the shores of Lake Tana.
Over three days of intense, frank, and constructive deliberations centered on “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,” our continental community has moved beyond diagnosing challenges to defining tangible, actionable pathways forward.
Key Continental Outcomes and Strategic Consensus
The 12th Tana Forum has yielded several foundational takeaways that will shape our policy coordination across the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and national capitals:
Operationalizing Economic Sovereignty for Peace: Delegates reaffirmed that sustainable peace requires breaking structural dependencies. Africa must accelerate internal resource mobilization, value-addition for critical mineral assets, and energy transition projects to fund its own development and stability initiatives.
Predictable & Sovereign Peace Financing: The forum achieved consensus on strengthening African-owned peace funding mechanisms, ensuring continental peace operations and conflict-prevention initiatives rely less on volatile external contributions and more on sustainable African capital.
A Unified Geopolitical Stance: In an increasingly multipolar global landscape, African states resolved to uphold a cohesive diplomatic posture. External partnerships remain essential, but must strictly align with Africa’s sovereign priorities and the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Accelerating Regional Trade & Infrastructure Interconnection: Mutual economic dependence—through regional energy grids, digital connectivity, and transport corridors—was formally endorsed as the primary structural deterrent against cross-border instability.
Ethiopia’s Enduring Commitment to Execution
For Ethiopia, host to the African Union and proud custodian of the Tana Forum, the completion of this assembly marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of an urgent implementation phase.
We remain steadfast in advancing cross-border economic integration across the Horn of Africa, expanding regional green energy integration, and fostering inclusive national dialogue and transitional justice.
Moving Forward: The Spirit of Bahir Dar
The insights, strategic frameworks, and consensus generated under the shade of the Baobab tree at Lake Tana are now handed over to the Tana Secretariat, the African Union Commission, and participating member states for policy integration.
Ethiopia thanks all participating delegations, international partners, and civil society observers. Together, we leave Bahir Dar with a renewed mandate to turn commitments into action—forging a peaceful, self-reliant, and economically sovereign Africa.
