Some critics of Ethiopia’s current political landscape say that it is not as wide and all encompassing as they would like to. They are often heard accusing the government of denying them their rights to oppose it and campaign against it with all their force. The government on the other hand states that the political landscape has never been wider and more accommodating of all political forces and the formation of a National Dialogue Commission a few years ago is also another demonstration of its good faith to talk with any political force and address any outstanding issue that pertains to the keeping the country peaceful and stable avoiding all sorts of violence and armed campaigns. The Commission has been inviting every political force in the country from all sorts of ideological spectrums and engages in frank and open discussions. But the critics continue to present their dissent to the way things are proceeding in the country attributing the main responsibility to the position and policies of the ruling party. They continue to allege that the government uses its massive force and does not show any sign of compromise to the demands these forces seem to present.
According to the National Dialogue Commission there is need to put aside every form of armed struggle, abandon the policy of using force to oppose the incumbent and be prepared to present their case in peaceful talks and frank discussions with the government. The Chief Commissioner of the National Dialogue Commission Professor Mesfin Araya was reported as saying recently that continuing to engage in violence and hostilities has only caused the deaths and injuries of our own people and the devastation of what a war begets. The Commissioner said it is our own folks who are dying on any side of the conflict and we should put an end to it giving way to peaceful discussions and talks to iron out our differences.
The Commissioner has said more or less ‘We want to finish our job of tabling all inclusive dialogues and talks between all parties in the three years which have been allocated to us, and with the continuous obstacles we constantly face such as the absence of peace in certain parts of the country, the lack of security for our staff and the people who want to take part in the discussions, we have not been able to reach every corner of the nation and carry out our duties the way we would like to. He said this has created a huge barrier and we call upon all parties to refrain from violence and come to the table of negotiations and try and settle every outstanding issue peacefully.
He said we cannot continue to fight each other and what we lose is our own children for the assertion of our claims and rights, things which can be achieved in peaceful ways. The Commissioner said the activities of the Commission are being hampered by these ongoing hostilities in certain parts of the country and the consequence is absence of enduring peace and stability.
The objective of the National Dialogue Commission is to bring together all political groups and forces both formal and informal to one center and hold open and candid discussions based on the Constitution and then track the new trajectory of the country together.
Ethiopia has had enough of hostilities carried out between and among its own citizens for decades and what the National Dialogue Commission is trying to do is change this ugly and tragic tradition and open a new chapter of frank and truthful discussions that could result in a working and peacefully operating democracy. We have seen that other nations have passed through such dynamic phases of socio-political movements and the ultimate solution has been discussion and resolution of the issues and not continuous fratricidal conflicts.
There are indications that the current state of Ethiopia is becoming difficult for settling differences in a peaceful manner because of certain die hard extremist views sustained by certain groups. Many political forces seem to have continued to adopt the way of armed struggle to claim and assert their legitimate rights. But this has been proved that it is not a viable method of settling differences because there could be no viable and sustainable or permanent solution to Ethiopia’s problems using violence as a means. One side may feel to have won and probably grab power but the appearance of peace is only a resemblance because it would not take long before the side which felt defeated in the struggle would rise again in opposition. This would put the country in a kind of vicious circle with no end to instability and violence. The only lasting solution to problems such as the ones that exist in Ethiopia is an all encompassing, all inclusive discussion in a peaceful and frank manner and iron out the basic differences leaving aside the minor ones that have little import in the general discussion. Agreements on the principal issues are sufficient to push ahead the country.
In the National Dialogue Commission, every political force is assured of having the opportunity to present their case and discuss in an atmosphere of frankness and peace without any threats of use of force or violence.
The losses coming from hostilities have been staggering as the recent conflict in the north has shown us. We have reached a stage of history in which the age of asserting rights through violence and armed struggle must now be dismissed as outdated and impracticable. The losses are too big to sustain and this is totally counterproductive by every calculation to all sides.
Ethiopia has had the experience of losing so much during the various political forces fighting the monarchy first then followed during the Derg military government and even now during the EPRDF and post EPRDF government. It does not need to refer to outside experiences because it has lived it on its own territory. Reports have been written about how the guerrilla activities first and then the outright ‘war of liberation’ of the northern forces have resulted in untold suffering and destruction of the people of the country for years. And yet the problem could and should have been resolved or settled in a peaceful manner by tabling frank and open talks about how to move ahead regarding whatever ideological issues may arise and any issue of self-determination of the various nationalities of Ethiopia could be raised. Because of the categorical and uncompromising positions of the various political forces the country had to engage in a cycle of interminable hostilities and fights that has resulted in massive losses on all parts. This is because we have not been able to pause for a moment and ponder on how to settle our differences in a peaceful manner engaging in fruitful conversations. This happens when political forces are rigid and not compromising enough to the principles of give and take. Compromise and concessions must not have been discarded in any political discussion.
Even in the recent fighting in the north of the country we have experienced the same procedures of engaging in protracted violence trying to force our ways to solutions. We were forced to use our scarce and precious national assets and wealth to keep intact the unity and integrity of the nation. In a conflict that lasted two years a lot of destruction has happened, lots of people were sacrificed in the hostilities and much of the country’s resources had to be redirected for the war efforts from their usual development allocations. Projects had to be halted and in the process the economic activities of the country were deeply and negatively affected.
As a poor country the world was right criticizing us for such waste and ultimately it was the Pretoria peace talks that resulted in the cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire was declared. This can be cited as another clear example of non existence of lasting solutions for political problems through force and violence. The idea of subjecting others through fire power cannot last long and be a guarantee of lasting peace and stability. This means that the only means of reaching a political solution is through peaceful discussions around a table.
Ethiopians need to learn from past experiences and mistakes and try and adopt a new direction and a new method of resolving any disputed issues and make it a regular practice and tradition. We need to embrace a new mentality of settling our differences through peaceful exchanges of talks and discussions. In this respect the formation of the National Dialogue Commission could be a good beginning in this process, a good practice to be strengthened and encouraged. All armed groups, all political forces, both formal and informal, should try and change their age old mentality of trying to depose an incumbent through rebellion and armed struggle because this process has resulted in too much loss and destruction which results in an unsustainable situation. It would only lead the country in to chaos. The recent experience of the country has confirmed to us that this is the only probable outcome.
Ethiopia cannot afford to sustain such losses any more because the economic fallouts have become too high and the suffering of the citizens can hardly be justified when there are alternatives to armed conflict and confrontation. That is why we say all the avenues of trying to solve the current political issues of the country should be determined by peaceful discussions based on certain accepted ground rules by all parties.
The situation of diffidence and suspicion should be eliminated and there should be trust and confidence in the process that could eventually lead to durable peace. All political forces should have confidence in the National Dialogue Commission and take part in the discussions presenting their case in a candid manner. Lately the Commission has trained scores of academics from university staff to lead the discussions among the people. The government has promised that it will accept the outcome of the discussions and engage in implementing the results. This should be taken as a new beginning for the country and it needs it in urgency because the period of uncertainties and suspicions should stop and find a lasting solution. Economies can thrive only in peaceful and stable conditions.
BY FITSUM GETACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2024
