On 16 February 2026, the Pan-African Agenda Institute (PAAI) convened a high-level, closed-door launch of the Pretoria Agreement Implementation Report (PAIR) titled “Three Years into the Pretoria Agreement: Where Does It Stand?” The invitation-only event was held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.
Bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats, international civil servants, private sector leaders, academics, civil society representatives, and selected members of the media, the convening created a focused space for frank and substantive dialogue on the state of peace in Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa.
To encourage open exchange and candid reflection, discussions were conducted under the Chatham House Rule. This format enabled participants to engage deeply with the report’s findings, assess the risks of renewed conflict, and consider the diplomatic, political, and humanitarian implications of stalled implementation of the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement.
The closed-door launch took place at a particularly sensitive moment. Rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, renewed clashes in western Tigray, and worsening humanitarian conditions have raised concerns that the Agreement, hailed in 2022 as a breakthrough in ending one of the world’s deadliest recent conflict, could face serious strain.
Participants examined the report’s key conclusions, including the limited progress made beyond the cessation of hostilities, the continued displacement of nearly one million people, the slow pace of reconstruction, and the urgent need for revitalised diplomatic engagement. The discussion also explored practical pathways for strengthening implementation mechanisms and preventing a relapse into war.
By convening decision-makers and influential stakeholders ahead of the public release, PAAI sought to foster informed, solutions-oriented dialogue and to catalyse preventive diplomacy at a critical juncture. The deliberations underscored a shared recognition: while the Pretoria Agreement halted active fighting, sustaining peace requires renewed political will, credible enforcement mechanisms, and inclusive engagement of affected communities.
The Nairobi convening reaffirmed PAAI’s commitment to providing independent, policy-relevant analysis and creating platforms for principled dialogue on peace and security across the continent.
Image: WikiMedia