Jigjiga: Speaker of Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives (HPR) Tagesse Chafo has called on countries in the Horn of Africa to take greater ownership of their shared future and shift from recurring crises toward durable peace and regional stability. Speaking at the opening of the Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue, also known as the Jigjiga Forum, in Jigjiga on Monday, Tagesse urged regional leaders to pursue homegrown solutions to common challenges and deepen cooperation across the Horn.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the high-level forum brought together senior government officials, policymakers, and experts from Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya, alongside representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Tagesse emphasized that the future of the Horn of Africa should be shaped by the people of the region, not by foreign capitals or international commentators. He highlighted Jigjiga's role as a symbol of the region's interconnectedness, serving as a hub for cross-border movement, trade, and resilience among communities.
In his address, Tagesse critiqued the influence of external actors on the region's narrative, advocating for strengthened 'regional agency'-the collective ability of Horn nations to think strategically and cooperate effectively. He stressed the importance of partnerships that respect regional priorities, noting that international engagement should complement the sovereignty and dignity of the Horn countries.
The Speaker pointed out the forum's focus on external security dynamics, cross-border community resilience, and trade integration, arguing that stronger economic ties and people-to-people connections are critical for sustainable peace. He urged participants to move beyond diagnosing problems and to leave the forum with commitments to address long-standing challenges.
Tagesse linked his remarks to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's broader regional diplomacy agenda, which promotes dialogue, regional integration, and African-led solutions to the Horn's complex challenges. He expressed confidence that sustained dialogue can build trust and create the political consensus needed for lasting peace in the region.