Participants of the high-level Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue, popularly known as the “Jigjiga Forum,” have officially declared the establishment of a permanent regional platform aimed at strengthening dialogue, coordination, peacebuilding, and regional cooperation across the Horn of Africa.

The declaration was made on Monday during the forum held in Jigjiga under the theme “Strengthening Regional Agency for Durable Peace in the Horn of Africa.”

According to the declaration, founding partners and participating institutions recognized the urgent need for a trusted, practical, and inclusive mechanism to address the growing political, security, and socio-economic challenges facing the region.

Participants emphasized that the complex challenges confronting the Horn of Africa cannot be solved through fragmented efforts, but instead require collective action based on regular dialogue, shared analysis, institutional coordination, public engagement, and strong community ownership.

The newly established “Jigjiga Forum” is intended to serve as a permanent platform for regional dialogue, research, knowledge development, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Organizers stated that the forum will remain open to additional institutions and partners willing to support its objectives, respect its principles, and contribute constructively to its mission.

As part of the declaration, participants agreed that the headquarters and secretariat of the forum will be based in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, reinforcing the city’s growing role as a center for regional diplomacy and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

The declaration also underscored the importance of inclusive participation, stronger regional coordination, and the protection of citizens across the region. Participants stressed the need to draw on indigenous knowledge systems and locally grounded wisdom to address regional problems and build sustainable peace.

“We commit ourselves to work together in good faith, mutual respect, professionalism, and shared responsibility,” the declaration stated, reaffirming a collective commitment to strengthening the newly established forum as a permanent mechanism for regional engagement.

Through the initiative, member institutions aim to support a more peaceful, coordinated, resilient, and self-directed Horn of Africa capable of addressing its own challenges through locally driven solutions and regional solidarity.