The 11th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, which was slated for October 25-27, 2024, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, has been postponed once again, with the event now set to take place in 2025.
The forum was initially planned for October 13-15, 2023, but was delayed to April 2024 due to “unforeseen circumstances,” as stated by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) at Addis Ababa University, the organizing body.
Although preparations were underway for the April 2024 forum, it faced further postponements, rescheduling to October 2024. Now, the event has been pushed to 2025.
This latest delay comes as conflict escalates between government forces and the Fano militia in the Amhara region.
In August 2024, Bahir Dar, the forum’s host city, saw disruptions due to a strike that briefly halted business operations and transport services. Gunfire was reportedly heard during the unrest, but the situation stabilized, allowing normal activities to resume shortly afterward.
More recently, fierce fighting has been reported in West Gojjam, including Finote Selam, with heavy artillery fire and street battles raising concerns about civilian safety.
In its most recent update, the Tana Forum Secretariat assured participants that discussions with Ethiopian authorities to confirm the new 2025 dates are ongoing. The Secretariat thanked participants for their patience and reaffirmed its dedication to fostering “African-led peace and security dialogues.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Tana Forum has become a key platform for African-led initiatives on peace and security. It attracts more than 250 high-level participants, including African leaders, peace and security experts, and key stakeholders. The forum is chaired by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.