ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission is maximizing efforts to complete the remaining tasks within a one-year timeline, including agenda gathering in the Amhara and Tigray states, Commissioner Yonas Adaye (PhD) said.
Yonas told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the House of Peoples’ Representatives recently granted the commission an additional one-year period to carry out its responsibilities following the expiration of its three-year mandate.
The commission is completing the remaining tasks in the Amhara state, which will be divided into four clusters—Bahir Dar, Gondar, Dessie, and Debre Birhan—for agenda-setting and regional-level discussion processes, he stated.
Yonas said that his commission is working to collect agendas at the state level, while partner training, stakeholder meetings, and agenda-gathering sessions will be held continuously in the Tigray state. Discussions have been held with regional leaders and scholars to create a conducive environment.
According to him, the commission is preparing an agenda-gathering platform from federal institutions and associations, identifying diaspora participants, and consolidating agendas. Tasks include discussing separately organized agendas, formulating public agendas, and training moderators for a national discussion conference.
Moreover, activities including nationwide movement, awareness expansion, active participation, public ownership, inclusive discussion, and recommendations submission will be conducted, he mentioned.
Yonas indicated that the national dialogue aims to bring peace to Ethiopia through proper discussion and called on parties involved in armed struggle in various parts of the country to join the platform.
The Commissioner also called on religious leaders and elders to play their role in bringing armed groups to a peaceful dialogue through prayer, advising, and other means.
The House of Peoples’ Representatives held an emergency meeting on February 18, 2025, and after reviewing the three-year performance of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, extended the Commission’s term for one more year.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025
