On Saturday (June 1), the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) officially commenced the agenda-gathering phase of the national dialogue process.
The announcement came during a ceremonial gathering at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, attracting a distinguished audience comprising high-ranking government officials, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed among them, alongside representatives from non-governmental institutions, diplomats, and diverse stakeholders.
This inaugural ceremony follows a series of agenda-gathering discussions held from Wednesday (May 29) to Tuesday (June 4), geared towards pinpointing key topics for discussion, as delineated in Proclamation No. 1265/2021, the statute establishing the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission. These deliberations aim to delve into the root causes of critical national issues and bridge gaps among Ethiopia’s diverse political and societal factions.
Prime Minister Abiy, reflecting on the occasion, reiterated the importance of Ethiopia’s historical recourse to conflict as a means of resolving issues. While acknowledging past successes, he emphasized lingering unresolved issues perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Abiy stressed the imperative of dialogue as a mechanism for cultivating a culture of problem-solving through constructive discourse. He highlighted the transformative potential of the dialogue process in tackling fundamental issues, fostering a consultative culture, and facilitating collaboration among opposing factions with shared understanding.
The Ethiopian National Dialogue process is structured into several phases. Initially, commissioners engaged in discussions across Ethiopia’s regional states in two stages: first, to introduce the commissioners to the public, and second, to elucidate the dialogue methodology. Over the past two and a half years, ENDC commissioners meticulously studied the challenges and triumphs of national dialogues across diverse contexts.
Following the current agenda-gathering stage, a consultative process will ensue, wherein selected agenda items will undergo public deliberation. Professor Mesfin Araya, ENDC Chairperson, highlighted during the event that one thousand public representatives from ten regional states and two city administrations have been enlisted to identify dialogue agenda items. Subsequent to the opening ceremony in Addis Ababa, similar events will be replicated nationwide.
The final phases of the dialogue process encompass implementation and monitoring. Empowered by Proclamation No. 1265/2021, the ENDC will compile a document featuring dialogue recommendations and implementation strategies. This document will be presented to the House of Peoples’ Representatives, the Executive organ, and pertinent bodies, with its contents also disclosed to the public.
Ultimately, the national dialogue process aspires to cultivate a political ethos conducive to resolving entrenched internal issues through dialogue, thereby fostering a sustainable milieu for democracy and enduring peace. It endeavors to lay a robust groundwork for national consensus-building and nurture a state endowed with resolute legitimacy.
