Jigjiga: Senior government officials, policymakers, and regional experts from across the Horn of Africa have called for deeper regional integration, stronger cooperation, and sustainable peace during a high-level dialogue hosted in eastern Ethiopia. The Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue, held in Jigjiga, brought together senior officials from across the region to discuss strategic autonomy, regional integration, and long-term peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Centre for Responsible and Peaceful Politics, and the Somali Region administration under the theme 'Strengthening Regional Agency for Strategic Autonomy and Durable Peace in the Horn of Africa.' Participants emphasized the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa, given its location along major global maritime trade routes, though it faces challenges such as fragmented cooperation, insecurity, and geopolitical competition.Officials highlighted tha t regional instability, climate shocks, migration pressures, economic fragmentation, and competition over strategic corridors linked to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden pose significant challenges to long-term development efforts. Director General of the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Jafar Bedru, opened the forum by addressing the need for countries in the Horn to resolve internal political divisions that allow external actors to influence regional affairs.Somalia's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jamaal Mohamed, noted the region's historical economic and social interconnectedness, which is often overshadowed by conflict narratives. He highlighted the strong trade and cultural ties historically maintained by communities across borders, despite political institutions struggling to achieve the same level of integration.Djibouti's Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, stressed the need for engagement with global powers through enhanced regional coordination. From Kenya, Garissa Governor Nathi f Jama Adam called for stronger regional coordination through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to address cross-border challenges related to displacement, insecurity, migration, climate pressures, and trade disruptions.Chief Administrator of Somali Region, Mustafe Mohamed Omar, emphasized Jigjiga's role as a regional gateway connecting Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and broader regional communities. He noted that the Horn's challenges are increasingly transnational, while policy responses often remain confined within national borders.From Ethiopia's perspective, the forum is part of a broader diplomatic push under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's leadership to promote regional dialogue, trade connectivity, infrastructure cooperation, and African-led solutions to shared regional challenges. Officials anticipate that the Jigjiga Forum will become an annual platform for advancing peacebuilding, trade integration, infrastructure coordination, and stronger regional cooperation across the Horn of Africa.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026