A national conference opened in Addis Ababa to strengthen Ethiopia's border management and turn border areas into zones of development and peace. Prime Minister's security adviser Dr Kenean Yadeta said borders should serve as bridges for regional integration.
The conference aligns national efforts with the African Union Border Management Strategy and Agenda 2063. Dr Kenean Yadeta stressed that borders must protect against security threats and illegal activities while acting as connectors for cooperation and prosperity.
Jafar Bedru, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Institute, said border areas and communities play a vital role in creating sustainable stability in the Horn of Africa. He called for turning borders into active zones of trade, people-to-people ties and historical integration.
The institute, working with German Development Cooperation, conducted field observations in 12 border areas and prepared a national roadmap. The roadmap is due to be presented and approved at the conference.
