In conflict situations, national dialogues present a valid way to overcome internal rifts and to rebuild relations between the various ethnic groups. As Ethiopia found in a number burden of disagreements and resolved difference, an opportunity has come to address faced challenges. The National Dialogue Commission is established to seek a lasting solution to the country. Ahmed Soliman, a researcher at the Chatham House, think tank in London, said that many aspects of the national dialogue remain unclear, including how it will engage communities – especially as insecurity persists in many parts of the country. Yet he believes the process, if managed properly, has the potential to start the long process of healing Ethiopia’s rifts.
“Three years is not long enough to address the damage done to the social fabric of the country. That will take generations,” Soliman said. “So a successful dialogue needs to build institutions and structures that promote stability and enable a continuing process of reconciliation and integration going forward.”
Regardless of its limitations, he didn’t think it was a chance to be squandered either, adding: “The opportunity to build consensus and positively shape the future structure of society – this should not be simply thrown away.”
Ethiopia Mass Media Professionals Association President, and Ahadu Radio and TV station CEO, Tibebu Belete, said that, if the national dialogue operation is well managed the national dialogue is remedy to all, if not the vicious circle remains in the coming generation. The initiative helps to address major fault lines in the country and create consensus on a mechanism to manage the transition process.
“We should back the effort of the initiative in my view working otherwise is crime trying to bring other means led this nation to sustained conflicts and erode the social fabrics we had built for centuries, it should well note that inclusive peace comes not from the barrel of gun.”
As to him, before translating the national dialogue initiatives to the ground the government should focus on restoring peace security throughout the nation. “We are witnessing conflicts where innocent civilian are killed and displaced these all should be arrested to let the national dialogue operation more inclusive and productive, it high time to all security forces to act in accordance, he opined.
The national dialogue should give opportunities for all stakeholders to partake in the process for instances the scholars, the pastoralists and the farmer communities among others.
Responding to the role of media, as Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, journalism and each media houses are expected to play a mitigating and stabilizing function, through balance and objectivity.
Each state of Ethiopia has media houses of its own. Having media houses is progressive but the way they are managed and their editorial policies should be revised. “I think letting States to own media house in current arrangements could harm the professionalism and it high time to arrange in a processional way, because media should/could not side to any rather than justice and truth.
The Commission should stage a training session for head of media houses and program producers in bid to create informed journalists on the national dialogue as well the trending national realities.
National dialogue should not be expected to erase all the black cloud of Ethiopia overnight, to ensure the aspired goal all stakeholders should work hard in sustainable fashion that ever before.
“I hope the national dialogue Commission will attach to its principles and guidelines to deal with the interest all concerned bodies in accordance.”
National dialogues prove particularly effective when it comes to addressing inter-state conflicts with a multiplicity of stakeholders. When stakeholders convene a national dialogue, the aim is often to broaden political participation and give ownership to groups otherwise excluded. This paves the way for a more inclusive process and more sustainable results.
The national elites should refrain from using it as a tool to gain or reclaim political legitimacy, which has limited their potential for transformative change. The youth also should be learning all realities and support peace to blossom trough out the nation. “We all have responsibility, supporting the national dialogue initiative, the civic societies and the regional and the international community should back the effort in for building the political basis for profound constitutional and institutional reform. If all actors work coherently the national dialogue could delivers and ensures inclusive peace to all citizens.”
Ethiopia is not for politicians, there are senior citizens and professionals with rich experiences and exposure to a number of national and international affairs, we consult them and letting them to share their practical experience to the Commission is important for productive accomplishments of the initiative. He further noted that, the government should working on amending the current constitution because it advocates secession rather unity.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 29 APRIL 2022
