As many countries, Ethiopia has experienced periods of social, political and ethnic tensions that have threatened its social fabric. One of the reasons that get the country in to turmoil is extremism along different lines. Political polarizations, party system and ethnic tensions have rocked the country triggering grave ramifications and creating rifts among the peoples of the country. The narrative towards some major national issues remains divided straining the national unity and state building.
Albeit diversity has long been a source of national pride, it has also been used as a factor to stoke violence among the country’s different ethnic groups and regions. The country also failed to reach at common consensus on many political, historical and social issues. There were also little attempts to hold national initiatives to create middle grounds between polarized issues. Hard won transition times were squandered. Peaceful transitions ended were turned in to bloody clashes making the road towards lasting peace and democracy bumpy.
In 2018, the country entered a new era following the popular uprising which saw a change of leadership and sparked national reform. However, old and new predicaments continue to pose threats to national stability.
For this reason, the National Dialogue Commission was envisioned as a bridge to help resolve these deep-seated tensions and work towards a more inclusive, cohesive political system. It is yet to convert its mandate into tangible progress on the ground. Overcoming Ethiopia’s entrenched ethnic divisions and building a shared national identity remain significant challenges that the Commission is expected to fully address.
The commission strives to ensure that marginalized groups, women, youth, competitive parties, and other underrepresented voices are given equal opportunities to participate and contribute to the national discourse. By embracing the principles of equity and inclusiveness, the ENDC aims to foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among all Ethiopians in shaping the nation’s future.
To make sure the big work is inclusive recently, the commission announced that warring parties will participate in the national consensus. However, the question is that how would these parties participate in the national consensus process. Involving warring parties in the national dialogue commission is a complex and delicate challenge, but it is one of the crucial for achieving a comprehensive and sustainable resolution to the country’s current situation. These groups, which may include rebellions, must be brought to the table despite the difficulties at present.
One potential approach would be to offer assurances that could prove warring parties to participate in good faith. This could include guarantees of personal security. However, care must be taken to avoid the perception of rewarding violence or granting undue concessions.
Parallel to this, robust mechanisms for verification and accountability would need to be put in place. Additionally, the commission should strive to address the root causes of the conflicts, such as longstanding grievances, inequitable resource distribution, or systemic marginalization. By tackling these underlying issues head-on, the hope is that warring factions will see the value in laying down their arms and engaging constructively.
Regarding this the country may take the experience of other nations, like the South African National Peace Accord in the early 1990s, which brought together the apartheid government, the African National Congress, and other armed anti-apartheid groups to negotiate the transition to democracy. Despite initial distrust, the forum allowed for open dialogue and ultimately paved the way for the peaceful end of white minority rule.
Also, the Arusha Accords in Burundi in the 2000s included the government, political parties, and several armed rebel factions in a process to end the country’s civil war. While the implementation faced setbacks, the accords did establish power-sharing arrangements and a framework for disarmament. Moreover, in Colombia, similar to South Africa and Burundi, peace negotiations between the government and the FARC guerrilla group began in 2010.
These examples demonstrate that with sufficient political will, security guarantees, and carefully structured processes, it is possible and must to include warring parties in national dialogues. The keys seem to be ensuring equal representation, building trust through confidence-building measures, and addressing the root causes of the conflict. In Ethiopia, this would require a tailored approach.
Moreover, the ENDC recognizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving its objectives. It actively seeks to engage with international organizations, regional bodies, and other stakeholders to leverage their expertise, resources, and experiences. So, foreign international organization bodies should support the commission activity and promote peace in the country. By forging strong alliances, the commission aims to benefit from global best practices and learn from successful models of dialogue and conflict resolution from around the world.
Moving forward, the commission will likely need to adopt a more proactive, assertive approach. This could involve leveraging its platform to raise public awareness, building stronger partnerships with civil society groups, and exerting greater pressure on political elites to compromise and enact meaningful changes.
ENDC should serve as an independent, impartial, and inclusive body that brings together diverse voices from various segments of Ethiopian society. Its primary objective is to facilitate open and constructive discussions, promoting understanding, trust, and consensus-building among different stakeholders. By providing a neutral platform for dialogue, the commission aims to address the root causes of conflicts, promote social cohesion, and foster a sense of national unity.
Ultimately, the success of the National Dialogue Commission will depend on its capacity to facilitate genuine dialogue, build consensus, and translate its recommendations into tangible reforms. The path ahead is not easy, but the potential rewards for Ethiopia-greater stability, prosperity, and national unity – make the effort essential.
On this week, ENDC Commissioner Muhamod Dirir opened the discussion by noting the increasing media coverage of the dialogue process and highlighting that the media shares a similar mission with the Commission in the case of peacemaking and nation-building. The National Dialogue Media Council is actively supporting the ENDC by guiding media institutions to inform the public about the dialogue’s progress.
Armed conflicts continue to cause significant harm to people’s lives and property damage. Dialogue is the only mechanism through which both society and the government can constructively resolve problems peacefully. Therefore, the ENDC has established branches in ten states and identified more than a thousand participants. All these developments need media support to keep the public informed.
The House of People Representatives Democracy Affairs Standing Committee Chairperson, Ewunetu Alene, also described the media’s involvement in the national dialogue. The media must shape narratives that do not exacerbate Ethiopia’s peace and stability. National dialogue is not optional; it is imperative given the current crisis, and the media has a responsibility to inform the public about the process.
The National Dialogue Media Council Chairperson, Getnet Tadesse, on his part stated that the council will contribute more in the coming months. Getnet urged council members and all media practitioners to produce constructive reports that will enhance the effectiveness of the dialogue.
Ultimately, the inclusion of warring parties, though fraught with challenges, is a necessary step toward achieving lasting peace and national reconciliation in Ethiopia. With the right approach and safeguards in place, this difficult but crucial objective can be realized.
BY FIKADU BELAY
The Ethiopian herald May 26/2024
