A new culture set-in to preserve with a transcending effect!

Time has changed! In today’s world, political dialogue has become
the only viable option to promote individual and group interests. Unlike
in the 1970-80’s, promoting political interests through powerful means
has proven worthless; even detrimental.

Political dialogue is a decisive set-piece in a democratic system.
It is a symbol of civilization. It is a means to a positive end. As has
been said time and again, democracy for Ethiopia, in particular, is no
longer a matter of option. It is rather a compelling necessity for its own
survival.

Owing to this reality, the government of FDRE has embarked on
a wide range of political reform measures. One relates to widening
up of the existing political space. The reform measure has actually an
overarching objective of reinstituting a truly democratic system through
strengthening democratic institutions to serve democracy in real terms.

The reform also emphasizes the involvement of all political parties
even in the making process. That is because sustainable democracy and
everlasting peace and development cannot be brought about without
the participation of all stakeholders and the public.

In view of this, we are now at a time when all political organizations,
regardless of their political differences, are truly having their stakes in
matters of national interest. Unlike in the past, political parties, including
some that were armed and on the blacklist of the government until very
recently, are now fully exercising their freedom of organization and
expression, though undoubtedly much remains to be done in the future.

The media, which are the outlets of free political expression, are
also providing the necessary platform of expressing all sorts of political
opinions and views thanks to the on-going political reform measures.

As part of a major unfolding reform measures, the government has
initiated a national political dialogue, which has been kicked off yesterday
within the vicinity of Honorable Prime Minister Abiy’s office.

The forum
that has brought a total of 81 political parties together is hailed by political
parties as a good start-up. In fact, it is unprecedented in the history of the
country over the last two decades, ever since the nation has embarked on
a federal democratic system.

The involvement of former armed groups, who were labeled as
terrorist groups in the past, in such a lively political dialogue, is actually
a significant step to usher in a real and civilized political struggle to the
nation.

Generally speaking, Ethiopia is now setting up a truly democratic
system. It is ushering in a new chapter of democratic rule. Democratic
culture is thus on the way. This needs to be continued and transcended to
the posterity.

In view of the typical reality of Ethiopia, the newly introduced trend
needs to be upheld as a flag culture of the nation in the future. Political
parties should support the new political atmosphere and nurture the
political dialogue set-in. They should accustom to the new political culture
of sitting together and discussing so as to come to national consensus and
iron out major differences and come up with for common goods. Political
dialogue should be preserved as a new Ethiopian culture and transcended
to the posterity! Because, there is no any other viable way out other than
political dialogue