The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu emphasized that the Horn of Africa’s challenges must be addressed through inclusive dialogue and regional cooperation.

IGAD Chief made the remark at the high-level Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue or the “Jigjiga Forum,” opened in Jigjiga, Somali region of Ethiopia today.

The forum, organized jointly by the Somali Regional State, the Institute of Foreign Affairs, and the Centre for Responsible & Peaceful Politics under the theme “Strengthening Regional Agency for Durable Peace in the Horn of Africa,” brought together senior government officials, diplomats, regional institutions, and strategic partners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia.

The Executive Secretary said “destiny has brought us together,” stressing that bringing elites into dialogue is essential for reducing conflict and improving understanding across the region.

Workneh underscored that the Horn’s issues should be solved by Horn actors, noting that open discussion and mutual recognition among the countries in the region and other stakeholders is key to building trust.

He highlighted that stronger communication and regional engagement can help close the “dialogue deficit” and pave the way for lasting peace and cooperation.

Workneh has emphasized the importance of dialogue among regional elites as a pathway to strengthening understanding, cooperation, and long-term peace in the Horn of Africa underscoring that such platforms are critical for building clarity on shared challenges facing the region.

“This forum is very important because it helps us understand each other better,” he said. “Having this kind of discussion will definitely create clarity on some of the issues we face. That clarity will build connections, and those connections will strengthen bonds across the region.”

He added that strengthening these connections could help narrow the sources of conflict in the Horn, stressing that solutions must be driven by regional actors themselves rather than external narratives.

“If we are to solve the issues of the Horn through the Horn’s own elites, this is the best platform to openly discuss every concern,” he noted, highlighting the need for frank and inclusive engagement at a time when both social media and mainstream media amplify diverse and often competing viewpoints.

Workneh further described the forum as more than a symbolic gathering, urging participants to ensure that it produces “concrete direction and practical solutions” to the region’s pressing political and security challenges.

He also expressed appreciation to the organizers and participants, including regional leaders and institutions, for convening what he called a timely and strategic dialogue aimed at shaping a shared regional future.

The Jigjiga Forum brings together policymakers, experts, and regional stakeholders to discuss pathways for cooperation, stability, and development across the Horn of Africa.

The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most strategically important regions, located near the Red Sea and Bab el Mandeb Strait — key global trade and energy routes linking Africa, the Middle East, and international markets.

Beyond its geography, the region shares deep historical, cultural, and economic ties that connect communities across borders through language, trade, and social networks, creating strong potential for regional integration.

Despite these advantages, the Horn continues to face political instability, cross-border conflicts, weak regional coordination, and growing geopolitical competition, which have slowed collective progress and deepened regional fragmentation.

In this regard, experts believe that the Jigjiga Forum stands as a vital platform for rebuilding trust, strengthening regional dialogue, and advancing African-led solutions to the Horn of Africa’s complex challenges. By bringing together leaders, diplomats, and policy experts from across the region, the forum will help transform shared challenges into opportunities for cooperation, integration, stability, and lasting peace.