Ethiopians from all walks of life have long been speaking loudly about the necessity of conducting inclusive national reconciliation with an aim to bringing about national unity and shifting attention towards development. It is fully comprehended by many; if not all in all, the nation’s development can come true predominantly through the full participation of its citizens regardless of their whereabouts and differences. To this end, resolving misunderstandings created between peoples that become source of conflicts including armed struggles in various parts of the country as we can see today should be primary issue.
Without any hesitation, reaching on common understanding on basic national issues is core agenda for Ethiopians to stand together for the country’s development. This in turn necessitates solving problems via identifying the problems and carrying out thorough discussion.
Cognizant to this fact, the Ethiopian government established National Dialogue Commission (NDC) with the mission to resolve differences of opinion on fundamental issues and forge a ‘national consensus’. Up on its establishment in December 2021, the commission was given three years to accomplish these goals.
As universally understood, National Dialogues are official forums typically convened to address issues of national concern – often long-standing causes of conflict that have been brought to the fore by political protest or armed insurrection. Over the last 25 years, there have been numerous National Dialogues globally, taking place in a multitude of political contexts, and with a broad range of forms and sizes, aims, and goals.
National Dialogues proven particularly effective when it comes to addressing inter-state conflicts with a multiplicity of stakeholders. National Dialogues therefore have mandates that include political reforms, constitution-making, and peace building. Credibility and inclusivity of the national dialogue, in this regard is a fundamental criteria.
Asking the Commissions accomplishment so far and remaining tasks ahead is a must as the commission is left with only less than a year to conduct the actual dialogue as per the time table.
And speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency, recently, NDC Chief Commissioner, Mesfin Araya said that finalizing participants’ identification in ten states, the commission is on the final stage of selecting woreda representatives who are to be involved in the agenda collection process.
The Commissioner further stated that the agenda collection is to be implemented in the areas where the primary activities are fully completed. Accordingly, stakeholders along with the representatives of each woreda are expected to table their agenda for discussion.
“The commission is ready to hold agenda collection progress in Addis Ababa, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Sidama, Harar and Dire Dawa. And, representatives drawn from each woreda are expected to gather and present worthy ideas to the commission,” he said.
Stating the commission’s core role in the due process, Prof. Mesfin underscored that trainings are given to some 106 instructors drawn from various universities and acquainted with the respective communities’ culture and tradition to facilitate the process.
Conducting effective and time-bound dialogue in a country like Ethiopia that is home to population with ethnic and religious diversity that have undergone divisive narratives is not an easy task. Thus, support from concerned and capable bodies is needed. Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia who are longing to see united and prosperous country should contribute to the success of the commission’s effort.
Especially, Ethiopians inland and overseas are primarily duty bounded for its achievement. To deal with the major drivers of conflict in Ethiopia, the process must involve key actors across the political divide. Thus, all sections of the community; women, youth, self-help organizations, community leaders, public servants, teachers, artisans, and the business community including armed groups have to be given an opportunity to take part in the dialogue.
As the matter is wide and complicated, it needs bulk man power and huge finance. So, it is a timely question to the international community to stretch supportive hand in this regard to see the commission’s effort bearing sounding outcome in bringing Ethiopia’s problems to an end.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2024
