ADDIS ABABA – Residents of the Amhara state have emphasized the urgent need for dialogue as a means to resolve ongoing challenges and foster lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia.
Speaking during the National Dialogue Commission (NDC) consultations, participants expressed deep concern over the growing instability, which they said has inflicted immense suffering on both the people of Amhara and the broader Ethiopian population.
Participant Meriye Tilahun highlighted that increasing divisions and disputes have escalated into conflict, undermining social cohesion and trust among citizens. “Past narratives filled with negativity have fractured the Ethiopian public and eroded trust,” he noted.
Meriye emphasized that the NDC could play a vital role in restoring this trust through inclusive and genuine dialogue.
He urged all stakeholders—government bodies, civil society, and citizens alike—to actively participate in discussions aimed at addressing the root causes of the ongoing turmoil. “We must listen to the cries of affected communities, particularly mothers and fathers, and prioritize peaceful discourse,” he said.
Meriye also called for the lifting of movement restrictions and the restoration of peace through conversations grounded in traditional values. He warned of the dangers of continued violence, including widespread looting and loss of life.
Another contributor, teacher Begosawu Genet, stressed the importance of the commission’s role in promoting national unity. He urged the public to work together as partners to confront the challenges the nation faces through collective dialogue. “We all have a historical responsibility to help build a peaceful Ethiopia,” he stated.
Begosawu also pointed out the shared accountability for the prevailing instability and emphasized that lasting solutions must emerge from the people themselves. “Everyone must play their part to ensure that peace is restored,” he asserted.
Participant Gebrekidan Wagnew shared a hopeful outlook on the consultation process, saying: “We are freely expressing our views and raising concerns that affect not just the Amhara people, but all Ethiopians.” He underlined the importance of consultations as a means of generating constructive ideas that promote national unity, calling on all Ethiopian nations and nationalities to work together in harmony.
The NDC also disclosed that the Amhara state consultation process is progressing steadily. The second phase includes discussions involving representatives from various community segments—such as government institutions, civil society associations, political parties, and prominent individuals—who are tasked with collaboratively identifying key issues and submitting their agendas to the commission.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2025
