Conducting a nation dialogue to resolve conflicts and arranging payments in lieu of compensation has been part of the Ethiopian culture for ages and engaging in modern dialogue to resolve basic national issues is therefore not entirely new for Ethiopians.
More than anything else Ethiopia urgently needs peace to ensure internal stability and in the context of relations with neighboring countries. There is no sustainable development without peace and there could be no peace short of sustainable development.
In addition, Ethiopia has experienced significant ethnic and regional conflicts. National dialogue provides a platform for various groups to address grievances, seek reconciliation, and prevent further violence. Engaging in dialogue helps to build trust among conflicting parties, reduces tensions, and fosters a culture of non-violent conflict resolution. Ethiopia’s political history includes periods of authoritarianism and marginalization of certain groups. National dialogue ensures that diverse voices, including those of minorities and opposition groups, are heard in the political process.
Ethiopia’s political history includes periods of authoritarianism and marginalization of certain groups. National dialogue ensures that diverse voices, including those of minorities and opposition groups, are heard in the political process. Dialogue supports the transition to a more democratic governance system by promoting transparency, accountability, and participation from all sectors of society.
Application and functioning of the Ethiopian federal system and constitution are sources of debate and contention on various issues like identity and internal borders. National dialogue allows for an inclusive process to discuss and potentially reform these structures to better meet the needs of all citizens. Effective dialogue can lead to the strengthening of key institutions, ensuring they operate in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner. Moreover, Effective dialogue can lead to the strengthening of key institutions, ensuring they operate in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner.
Ethiopia is home to a diverse population with various ethnic, religious, and cultural identities. National dialogue promotes understanding and cooperation among these groups, fostering a sense of national unity. In addition, dialogue helps to mitigate political and social polarization by encouraging constructive engagement and reducing the appeal of extreme positions.
Political stability and social cohesion are prerequisites for sustained economic development. In Ethiopia, national dialogue can help create a stable environment that attracts investment, fosters economic growth, and ensures equitable distribution of resources. Moreover, Inclusive discussions about economic policies and development strategies can help address inequalities and ensure that all regions and communities benefit from national growth.
A national dialogue process often includes discussions on human rights issues, leading to reforms that protect and promote the rights of all citizens. In addition, addressing past injustices and human rights abuses through dialogue and reconciliation processes is crucial for healing and moving forward as a nation.
Successful national dialogue processes could attract international support, both in terms of diplomatic backing and development aid. It signals to the international community that Ethiopia is committed to resolving its issues peacefully.
Nonetheless, engaging in meaningful dialogue enhances Ethiopia’s image globally, showing a commitment to democratic principles and human rights. The National Dialogue Commission is making all the necessary preparations to coordinate the upcoming national dialogue process and has certainly made all the necessary institutional preparations. Here, the author wishes to make only some suggestions on how the process may be conducted at all levels.
It would be preferable to organize some kind of ground rules which governs the behavior of the participants at all levels. This would help to give more chance for participants in the discussions to be conducted in the dialogue.
Journalists and their media companies can play an important role in supporting the smooth flow of the discussions and by preparing daily reports to the public on the progress on the national dialogue process.
CEOs of media houses need to provide journalists with the necessary logistics and guidance as well as in house training on how to cover the daily activities in the dialogue process. Specific standards need to be provided to produce quality news in the most participatory and inclusive manner. Collecting opinions of the participants by keeping the professional and gender composition is very important.
Expectations and outcomes of the discussions need to be carefully documented as they could serve for future development planning and promotion of justice and improvements of social services across the country.
Identifying all relevant groups and individuals who should be part of the dialogue, including government representatives, competing parties, civil society organizations, ethnic and religious leaders, and marginalized groups, displaced persons need to be considered.
Understanding the interests, power dynamics and relationships among stakeholders to ensure that the dialogue addresses the concerns and aspirations of all parties is very important. Using experienced and neutral facilitators to guide the dialogue process, manage discussions, and ensure that all voices are heard. Organizing large, inclusive conferences where representatives from various groups can come together to discuss and negotiate key issues.
Using media campaigns, social media, and public service announcements to inform the public about the dialogue process and encourage participation. Ensuring that the dialogue process is transparent by regularly publishing updates, reports, and outcomes will help to inform the public on the progresses underway in the dialogue process.
The entire process of national dialogue provides Ethiopians with opportunities to acquire a new political culture in which conducting discussions on a round tables and not resorting to conflicts becomes an important level of social consciousness.
Many countries which conducted national dialogues prepared important ground rules that are to be followed by all participants throughout the dialogue process. The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has prepared a set of ground rules that could help to conduct smooth and peaceful discussions in which the vast majority of the participants will have opportunities to express their views in a mode dignified manner.
Conducting a national dialogue may not be a smooth process but it will also serve as a forum for learning and relating to each other to resolve outstanding challenges that Ethiopia is now facing as a nation.
On the other hand, although a national dialogue is conducted at a national level, it needs the support from other countries and international organizations that have been calling for peaceful settlements of disputes in Ethiopia.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 31 MAY 2024
