BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Peace talk is one of effective approaches to achieve peace building. As it plays crucial role in terms of resolving differences and preventing the recurrence of conflicts, strengthening social cohesion among communities, it is key to hold successful peace building activities and achieve sustainable peace.
It is common knowledge that without peace, there can be no development; and it cannot be realized in the absence of peace; and peace without development is a peace that may not last long. The two are the two sides of the same coin.
That is why countries are always struggling to sustain peace not only within their territories; but also even beyond. However, for various reasons it seems that achieving peace is becoming more demanding around the globe and many nations, including Ethiopia, are facing the challenges of peace.
Currently, Ethiopia, to address the underlining causes of conflict, resolve differences, prevent future violence and by doing so to achieve sustainable peace, is working to hold successful peace building activities. As part of this effort, it has established a National Dialogue Commission, and at the first phases, the committee has carried out range of activities—preparation- which can serve as a pathway; and required to achieving the aspired outcome.
Of late, senior citizens and former diplomats had a discussion session concerning how to manage national dialogue and ways to draw lessons from the experiences of other countries. On the occasion, experts highlighted the significance of scrupulously analyzing and drawing important lessons from well-experienced countries regarding National Dialogue so as to come up with meaningful and viable talks.
Ex-Ethiopian Ambassador to Yemen, Tawfik Abdullahi (PhD) said that Ethiopia has established a National Dialogue Commission with a view to answering the old aged political, economic and other social queries. In the wake of conducting a National Dialogue which is expected to mend centuries of political and other social discords, considering the experience of other countries will have a great importance for successful peace talks.
Quoting the failed National Dialogue of Yemen, he said that Ethiopia needs to draw best experience from such countries leveling gaps so as to conduct successful dialogue. Yemen’s dialogue process failed because it lacks inclusiveness and for the interferences of actors from neighboring and western countries.
However, Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission is set up and functioning independently; and the dialogue process is inclusive. It encompasses all concerning bodies from all walks of life, civic societies, contending parties and others, he indicated.
“The process needs collective efforts from each individual and we all are likely to discharge our roles for the successfulness of the peace talks’ process,” he said.
From Ethiopian Scholars Consultative Forum Engineer Getahun Husen on his part indicated that there are some actors who are not happy with the dialogue process and working to thwart it.
On the other hand, some of the western countries are exerting undue pressure on developing countries simply to achieve their wicked objectives. Ethiopia is among the countries that are victims to some international entities; as political, economic and other pressures are being imposed on it, which is a new wave of neocolonialism, he said.
Some weeks ago, President Sahle Work Zewde had also a short stay with the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commissioner, Prof. Mesfin Araya and members of the Commission. Commissioner Prof. Mesfin made a presentation with regard to the activities the Commission has carried out during the past four months; and briefed about his office’s future plans.
As the President stated referring to the experiences of other countries she had witnessed, national dialogue is an important tool for peacebuilding. She stressed that the whole peace talks process should be credible, inclusive, transparent and genuine. Since it is a matter that has gained acceptance at international level, it will not be carried out just for ticking the box. What is more, what Ethiopia needs is a new social contract, she added. She also extended her best wishes to the Commission.
It is remembered that the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR), approved the establishment of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission under the proclamation No.1265/202 on 29 December 2021.
The proclamation establishing the Commission stated the importance of conducting an inclusive national dialogue for bolstering national consensus and restoring social values in Ethiopia. Several other activities have been conducted since then, including the appointment of a list of eleven individuals to serve as commissioners led by Professor Mesfin Araya.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 2 AUGUST 2022
