Tana Forum Provides Platform for African Voices on Continental Affairs: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

Addis Ababa, October 21, 2026 (ENA) —The High-Level Tana Forum on Security in Africa provides a platform for African leaders and experts to discuss the continent’s peace and security challenges from African perspectives and develop African-led solutions, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ambassador Nebiat Getachew said.

The 12th Tana Forum will be held in Bahir Dar from October 23 to 25, 2026, under the theme “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation.”

Speaking to ENA, the ambassador said the forum offers African leaders, policymakers, researchers and security experts an opportunity to exchange ideas freely and deliberate on issues affecting the continent.

He noted that while many international peace and security platforms address issues shaped by their respective regional interests and political agendas, the Tana Forum provides a space for African affairs to be discussed through the continent’s own perspectives and experiences.

The forum has served as a platform for deliberations on Africa’s peace and security challenges for more than a decade, promoting dialogue and cooperation among African countries, the spokesperson added.

He further noted that the forum draws inspiration from traditional African community practices, particularly “tree-shade discussions,” where elders and community members gather to resolve disputes, exchange views and address common challenges.

According to Nebiat, this tradition reflects the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” which guides the forum’s approach to advancing peace and security across the continent.

The forum is expected to bring together political leaders, policymakers, researchers and security experts to explore ways to strengthen continental cooperation and translate shared priorities into practical action.

Nebiat further noted that ideas generated through the Tana Forum contribute to Africa’s formal peace and security frameworks, supporting efforts to build sustainable peace and deepen cooperation among African countries.