It is now more than two years since the National Dialogue Commission has been established with its guidelines and rules so that it operates within a certain legal framework. It is accountable to the House of Peoples Representatives. That is not to the Executive branch of government as some critics have tried to discredit its neutrality and denigrate the efforts of the Commission.
It is known that the Commission is composed of knowledgeable professionals who have been serving their country in various capacities and are disciplined and experienced in their fields of study. Besides, they are not members of any political parties but are all the same passionate about the affairs of their country and voluntarily engage their time to actively take part in running the responsibilities of the Commission. In other words, these people have not come to the Commission in search of a vacancy. They have been convinced to take part in the duties of the Commission well aware of the importance of their activities.
The time has come that the country should resolve all its uncertainties and the woes of certain segments of the population who continue to voice their complaints alleging that there have been historical wrongs committed against their constituencies.
The history of Ethiopia tells us that there have been many forces which have tried to undermine the country’s peace, stability and hence government and take control of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.
Ethiopia realizes that its enemies and adversaries never sleep but try to extract an advantage when they believe that things are going wrong. It has survived them with indissoluble unity, utmost vigour and vast mobilization of its people. This has made them bacon of resistance and resilience in keeping their identity in dignity, pride and freedom. This has earned Ethiopia a reputation as a vanguard in the struggle for the liberation of African states and the foundation of Pan-Africanism once dominated by colonialists and imperialists. Africa is still fighting for its deserved status in the international world order by claiming what is due to it. We can observe that there are certain neocolonial forces still operating in attempts to subdue the continent via economic muscles and the control the natural resources.
In this respect, the country has been very resistant throughout its existence because it has had the advantage of never being colonized. Hence its culture and civilization have not been subjected to foreign influence. Even today we observe certain tendencies to undermine the sovereignty of Ethiopia through forces that aim to depose the government. Letting Ethiopia be a colony would amount to a betrayal of the bitter sacrifices of Ethiopian patriots to guarantee the survival of a free state in dignity. Bowing to any alien force is not in the DNA of Ethiopians even in the face of superior arms.
There are indications that certain forces operating in Ethiopia are directly linked to these external forces. These aim to destabilise the country and eventually balkanise it.
However, Ethiopia cannot be another Yugoslavia. Ethiopian communities have a long history of fusion and intermingling as well as harmonious cohabitation. They have lived together with tolerance and affection facing their common enemies together and defeating them. They have come to know that their unity has been instrumental to exist freely and not be exposed to division irrespective of the diversity in ethnic identity, culture, languages and faiths. They have always known that in division they could be exposed to invaders and interferences in their domestic affairs.
Such a sense of freedom has always been a source of discontent among the so-called powerful nations which are always bent on subjugating Africa and Africans to fulfil their national interests and advantages with little consideration for the native populations. Ethiopians will always combat these influences because they have a historic responsibility to preserve their identity and culture that have come through centuries of resistance. No Ethiopian would accept to be shoved to subjugation.
There are always attempts to influence the political establishment of Ethiopia alleging various pretexts such as violations of human rights and the subjugation of certain communities by the federal government and so forth. These forces believe that they know better how Ethiopia should look and how it should be governed. But they always underestimate the iron willpower of Ethiopians not to be lured by temporary benefits. The exceptions are those who try to collaborate with these external forces and try to come to power allying themselves with these elements. It is clear that their operations are dangerous.
The country is now on a new trajectory of development despite these obstacles. A population of more than 120 million, most of whom are young, and with immense resources that can be capitalized upon, cannot afford to continually be distracted by these splinter groups which are organized under various names and pretexts.
Ethiopia is engaged in trying to come out of perennial poverty and join the community of developed countries because it knows it has the potential to do so. But to do that it must capitalize on all of its human resources including those who are now rejecting its offer. That is why it insists that all parties and forces, both formal and informal, come to the table abandoning their violent operations. They are urged to put down their arms and join the table of discussions in which the entire state is now immersed.
The old method of trying to depose a government by force has had its days. Today it is inconceivable. Citizens know that there is little to gain from siding with these forces. They know that without peace there can never be development and progress. These forces are seen engaging in not only preventing certain development activities but also destroying all that has been constructed.
The formation of the National Dialogue Commission could be the final opportunity to resolve all the outstanding issues of these forces and any others who have grievances with the establishment and the incumbent. In a recent remark Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that given there will be elections within two years, there will be the opportunity for these forces to come and take part in the contest. If they succeed in having enough votes they could even propose an amendment of the constitution with the consensus of the population. In the end, the constitution is a social contract between the government and citizens. It can be reviewed and amended or even replaced by another one depending on the decision of citizens.
This is how all modern and civilized states operate because violent methods to advance political aims have become obsolete. We have seen them failing repeatedly. Only through a series of discussions and compromises can a community survive and flourish and this must be the ultimate goal of Ethiopians through the National Dialogue Commission. In the long run, these methods should be adopted to be part of our tradition and way of life.
For the National Dialogue to succeed the contribution of every citizen is crucial because there should be a sense of ownership in the process. No one group will be excluded from the process. That is why there is a kind of mobilization of every sector of the population in every woreda of the country including in places where there are forces that persist in their hostilities to the law and order of the nation.
Ethiopians should learn to solve their differences through an open dialogue and discussion expressing their thoughts candidly and honestly without resorting to calling names or generalizations that have been borne from certain negative and false narratives. On Monday 29th May, the selection process of the agenda for discussion has been launched in Addis Ababa. The process will last seven days. This is a very important step because it is the very basis on which the issues will be distinguished and presented for deliberations. That is why everyone should propose as an agenda the most important issues that need to be considered by the National Dialogue Commission and be a subject of the final discussions and deliberations.
The way the process is carried out will be crucial for its credibility. There should be no excuses for the refusal of the results. The Commission will of course select the key issues affecting the country and those that are crucial to reach a consensus without prevarications and uncertainties. We have seen that many countries have used this system to address their major challenges through thorough discussions and there is no reason why we cannot achieve the same result if we have the right commitment and will.
BY FITSUM GETACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2024
