Critics say national dialogue is an increasingly popular tool for conflict resolution and political transformation. It can broaden debate regarding a country’s trajectory beyond the usual elite decision makers.
However, it can also be misused and manipulated by leaders to consolidate power. Globally, over the past few decades in the 21st century, national dialogue has been viewed as a critical tool for the prevention of intra-state conflicts and for managing political crisis and transitions.
Despite of the fact that national dialogues have vastly been analyzed and debated by national governments, political parties, religious leaders, civil societies, international policy makers, diplomatic community and donors, their practicality has to date not been matched by conceptual clarity and reality.
The Ethiopian Herald has recently approached Sociologist, Mulatu Gebremariam, to share his insight on how Ethiopia should follow and handle the national dialogue to actualize and produce all national dialogues. He said it is wonderful that Ethiopia is set to conduct national dialogue in the coming three years to address the backdrop of the major fault lines that had been experienced by the earlier government and now.
“We know that, since the new government comes to the helm, important steps have been taken to initiate national reforms and widen the political space to ensure peace and security and let all citizens enjoy life. This shows government commitment and will to avoid future conflict in a peaceful means.”
He further noted that national dialogue is one possible way to move beyond political stalemate and disruptive intra-state conflict scenarios. The utilization of national dialogue as a strategy for conflict resolution has proven to be effective across the globe with success cases being witnessed in Europe, Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Major conflicts in the Middle East region commonly referred to as the Arab Spring have depicted a vivid picture of the population exerting pressure of legitimacy on the governing institutions.
According to him, to end all inconveniences and build consensus among all stakeholders, citizens in the country and those who live outside should be part of the process. Their active role will have a constructive role in the peace process. Every Ethiopian has moral and legal responsibility. If we all want to see a peaceful Ethiopia and have a vision to deliver a conflict free nation, we must contribute our part in the national dialogue.
The effectiveness of nation`s machinery is anchored on several key principles in which the state has a lion`s share to bring the desired outcome on a win-win basis. Inclusivity principle is one of the critical points for an effective national dialogue to take place; the process also must accommodate a broad spectrum of stakeholders without leaving any groups out of the talks.
In order to achieve the maximum result from the dialogue, all key stakeholders should be allowed and encouraged to participate. This includes the youth, religious groups, women, political parties, civil society, traditionally excluded groups amongst others.
It is well noted that Ethiopians share great history and have values that have sustained for millennia. Letting the people to live in harmony, it is high time to ensure productive national dialogue because Ethiopians deserve more than that.
While briefing the diplomatic community residing in Addis Ababa, National Dialogue Commission Commissioner, Prof. Mesfin Arya, said that efforts are underway to actualize productive national dialogue without any internal and external interference. He further noted that the Commission is working aggressively to include all critical and essential interested groups on board. Otherwise, it could still lose its credibility. If the Commission fails to incorporate public participation from all sects of the society the outcome is clear.
“The Commission is ready to accommodate all stakeholders because we believe it’s critical to ensure productive national dialogue that the general public is updated on the happenings of the dialogue step by step to enable them own the process and embrace the outcome,”
Concerning the efforts of the Commission, several diplomatic communities are responding positively. Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Yevgeny Terekhin, said that Ethiopia’s commitment to stage a national dialogue will ensure national consensus among all stakeholders and let the nation prosper.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dr. Catherine Sozi, for her part said, UN has been showing interest in the area since the commencement and will keep on working and supporting Ethiopia`s endeavor.
“We had a productive and fruitful discussion. The UN had been supporting the effort and believed it could help citizens to pull them out from drastic and chain of problems”.
Turkey Ambassador to Ethiopia, Yaprak Alp, for her part noted that the longstanding and historical ties between Turkey and Ethiopia are in progress. Turkey is committed to support and achieve productive national dialogue.
The purpose of any dialogue is stopping people going to the battlefront and healing the wounds of war. In this regard, the effort of Ethiopia to settle its difference through dialogue is a first step towards the end. The past three or more three years have witnessed that war and conflict have shaken the pillar of the nation. Several innocent people have lost their precious lives and several infrastructures have been destroyed. Using this as a lesson, the Ethiopian government has paved the way for negotiation.
Working for peace in a modern way benefits all. The experience of several countries have witnessed that through dialogue they are able to save their nation from destruction and have delivered a safe and peaceful nation to the new generation. This is what Ethiopia wants. Despite all attempts of conflict entrepreneurs the nation is excreting all its effort for peace.
BYMENGISTEAB TESHOME
The Ethiopian Herald 15 May 2022
