Ethiopia is presently undertaking a National Dialogue designed to promote peace and stability by addressing and resolving recurrent conflicts. This initiative aims to provide solutions to enduring national challenges. Active participation from all societal segments, including religious leaders and institutions, is deemed essential for the dialogue’s success.
In this context, The Ethiopian Herald has sought the perspectives of Dr. Tesfaye Yacob on the role of religious leaders in enhancing the effectiveness of the National Dialogue.
Dr. Tesfaye Yacob earned his degree in Medicine in 1985 and subsequently completed a Postgraduate Degree in Leadership and Management. His distinguished career includes several prominent positions: he has served as the Director of a public hospital. Additionally, he held the role of General Secretary of Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church, a national church, from January 1997 to March 2010. His expertise in healthcare management is highlighted by his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of women’s health care hospitals. In academia, he has contributed as a college instructor, sharing his specialized knowledge. He has also authored books on leadership, with a focus on Christian leadership.
Dr. Tesfaye Yacob offers an insightful discussion on the role of religious leaders in promoting peace and stability, drawing from his extensive knowledge and experience. This analysis is a highly recommended read.
Do you believe religious leaders would play significant roles in promoting peace and stability in Ethiopia? How?
Yes, religious leaders can play important role towards promoting peace and stability in Ethiopia, due to their primary duty within the context of their constituency. They have social capital, authority, status, acceptance, and respect by communities, and hence, they are potential agents of peace. It is known that they are considered trustworthy in their societal interactions and are influential. They are present in all key events of life of an individual or family and are expected to provide guidance that is just, unbiased and neutral. In most Ethiopian societies religious leaders are expected to play role in mediation of conflicts. Religion provides a guide towards maintaining social order and social structure, tackling challenges and situations of uncertainity. Religion is an important factor of social cohesion and a force for peace. Religious values have the power to bring forgiveness, unity, cooperation and reconciliation. Religious solidarity is known for its framework that embraces all groups in a society, irrespective of their various features, such as class, and clan and brings all to a common table for a shared community. Justice, love and service are key religious tenets. Peace is the main tenet of faith and this means religious leaders are called and commissioned as peace agents. Working towards attainment of peace is the mandate of religious leaders in accordance to Holy Scriptures, as well as expectation of their constituency and society at large.
In Ethiopia today violent conflict is probably the most acute and serious problem that affects everyone in society. Religious leaders cannot be bystanders. In order to fulfill their duty, as peace agents’ religious leaders must work relentlessly for peace. They can do this through their teachings, preaching, or any other engagement and interactions that they have due to their role in society. The most powerful method of carrying forward this mandate is through modeling. This means living in deeds what they preach and teach in various opportunities. Being a peace agent can effectively be done through actions that demonstrate our values and what we stand for in various challenging and diverse situations.
Should religious leaders involve in the National Dialogue? Can they contribute to long-term peace and stability in the society, beyond their denominations?
Yes, religious leaders should involve in all possible opportunities and forums that are established and commissioned to promote peace and stability in society. Yes, they can make proper contribution towards long term peace and stability in society, due to their inherent role as leaders of value based group. They can make contributions in the beginning by working towards peace and stability in their immediate vicinity and then that can have a ripple effect towards society at large. Those who have earned respect of their constituency can make contributions beyond their denomination.
In the global scenario, National Dialogues emerged as important platforms in many conflict contexts to rebuild strained relations and establish a peaceful transformation of societies. After the end of cold war in the global scenario, in many African contexts elites who lack adequate understanding of the grass root situations emerged. The Arab spring that suddenly popped up was a manifestation of the gap between the people and the elite. Both of the above situations led to a need for National Dialogue. The common denominator in most of these contexts was an urgent call for inclusive policy making, that demands grass root engagement in the process of National Dialogue. In Ethiopia the establishment of National Dialogue is recognition of a need for a new set up that redefines the prevailing circumstances in society. This demonstrates interest in seeking consensus among diverse stakeholders, and hence should be respectfully embraced and entertained carefully. The teachings of all religions by design and act are tuned towards maintain social order and religious leaders have the mandate to play a role on this front. There are many global, regional and national exemplary religious leaders who contributed remarkably towards peace making.
Apparently, National Dialogues must be inclusive of all stakeholders. The Ethiopian National Dialogue is addressing key foundational matters of the country. Religious leaders, due to their role in society are key to peacemaking efforts. Making every attempt to promote peace and bring reconciliation is indeed, a noble move that leaders should embark on. The National Dialogue would be owned by religious leaders, if it is presented with clarity. That will make leaders capable of ensuring reconciliation, preventing conflicts, managing crisis and contributing towards systemic conflict transformation. In the Ethiopian context religious institutions are historically major contributors on establishing the moral high ground of society. We cannot afford to ignore our history. The relationship of religious institutions to the state is a complex in the Ethiopia context. That makes religious leaders strategically important in the process of National Dialogue, as local, regional and national actors towards supporting the process, to become more effective and efficient delivery of what is intended. Traditional methods of conflict prevention and resolution are influenced by religious values.
What should religious leaders do to support the current National Dialogue?
To begin with religious leaders, have to understand the mission and strategies of the current National Dialogue. This can ideally be followed by ensuring ownership of the overall process by religious leaders. Ownership is a prerequisite for leaders who are committed to mobilize communities towards a cause. Establishing and building genuine ownership that can remain resilient in the midst of challenges and diverse circumstances demands developing fraternal partnership through an honest negotiation in a non-threatening and conducive context. The creation of such a context requires respect of values that can be shown through principles that can guide the negotiations. Operational directives that are designed to inculcate strategies through the usual mobilization, such as political campaign mechanisms may not attain the required results in the religious communities. This means there is a need for a comprehensive approach of engagement that is determined to invest time and skill, but oiled by values that respect the ethos and norms of the religious constituency. Religious leaders should provide input towards the process of future policy making environment and engage comprehensively in building the social framework.
What possible challenges do leaders face while participating in the National Dialogue? How can they handle these challenges?
It is apparent that leaders will have to face multiple challenges in their participation in the National Dialogue. The primary and perhaps the most outstanding challenge will be bringing their constituency onboard. The leaders are endowed with their mandate from their constituency and hence that is a key factor. The other challenge will be earning respect from society, and the need for regular timely steps in a context of fast changes. In addition, the creation and establishment of an acceptable modus operandi for both parties is a challenge. This would mean that the owners of the National Dialogue would do well, if they command the courage, audacity and magnanimity to bring on board the religious leaders.
Furthermore, the high level of expectation of society from religious leaders is always a challenge. However, these are not insurmountable challenges. In order to tackle these challenges, the leaders need to work within the acceptable premises and values of their constituency, inform and educate them and then bring them onboard. Bringing their constituency on board and demonstrating integrity of leadership can open the venue of earing respect from society.
The faith community leaders should ensure that they are capable of putting forward the interest of their constituency, which will be served through the caveats of national interest. This means the leaders should have earned the integrity, power and trustworthiness, to carry their weight. This should not be problematic in view of the fact that all groups are interested in maintaining national peace and stability, without which they cannot exist and perform their duties. There are groups who want to undermine faith values. Such groups are determined to undermine faith values and faith institutions and are ready to label them as mores of the middle ages. Religious values have remained relevant and resilient despite the predictions of their disappearance by some secularists. The concepts of privatization and pluralization of religious values in the contemporary context should not be allowed to undermine faith values. Developing an inclusive national narrative helps in facilitating engagement of religious leaders in National Dialogue.
How can they contribute their share in addressing and resolving recurrent conflicts within our communities?
Yes, we are in the midst of multiple disputes and getting beyond this and maintaining peace and establishing a cohesive social environment is of paramount importance. The creation of a narrative that can embrace all Ethiopians together inevitably requires leaders who are capable of elevating themselves to a higher moral ground through their integrity. Religious leaders should remain focused on their mission that is considered their life calling. This demands avoidance of conflict of interest. Only then the leaders will earn the respect and moral high ground that can elevate them to a platform to address recurrent conflicts in communities. If they attain such a perceived standard, then they can engage in the provision of systematic, consistent and faith based teachings to their constituency and beyond in order to contribute towards conflict resolution. Sadly, we are living in a season that people continue to die due to violence in different parts of Ethiopia. Resolving conflict and maintaining peace demands the cooperation of all. The root causes of conflict should be addressed. This requires recognition of both the national structure and respect of ethnic identities. It is known that public consciousness is a prerequisite for fruitful contribution of religion to social problems in a community. Social capital that is a major currency of religious leaders is often an outcome of efforts made to tackle social problems. Religions had impact on social problem solving efforts of society.
The recurrent conflicts in Ethiopia should be the concern of all religious leaders whose primary role includes praying for the peace of the nation and its government and speak for the marginalized in every situation and remain an advocate for justice. Their voices will have sustained impact when religious leaders recognize their duty and calling, as specified in the official positions of their institutions. This can protect their vital role, which is done to serve the people. In the Ethiopian context religious institutions, despite challenges, have remained resilient. This makes them a force that can engage with communities properly for sustained and comprehensive peace that is integrated into the daily lives of the people.
Can religious leaders integrate their teachings and principles with the purpose of the National Dialogue to promote reconciliation and peace?
Yes, they can, because promotion of reconciliation and peace is already a message of the Holy Scriptures. Religious institutions are venues for unselfish and sacrificial service to others particularly to the down trodden in the group for whatever reason. Globally, there are many successful examples, where religious values and principles were creatively and contextually utilized in taking forward National Dialogue. However, that requires openness by owners of the National Dialogue and organizing forums that can serve such a purpose.
Can we say that the participation of religious leaders in the National Dialogue remains inclusive and representative of their religious groups?
It is in the interest of the National Dialogue to design a careful and creative mechanism that ensures inclusivity of religious leaders. We need inclusive National Dialogue as we are facing disputes in many fronts. Inclusivity is a prerequisite for success. Peaceful and inclusive dialogue is indispensable. This requires genuine interaction, building trust, fraternal partnership and establishing a forum of shared values. That will facilitate serving the interest of various groups. The creation of the right conditions for a successful National Dialogue is vital. The common interest area can be found and formed through honest discussions.
Do you believe their participation in the National Dialogue would foster the cooperation among the interfaith? How?
Yes, their participation in the National Dialogue can foster interfaith dialogue, due to the common agenda of protecting national interest and tackling together national existential threats. All religious groups recognize they have one country and indisputably protecting national existence of Ethiopia is in the interest of all groups.
How can their churches and the community support the endeavors of the leaders so that they effectively participate in the National Dialogue?
The decisive ingredient in terms of supporting the endeavors of leaders to ensure their participation in National Dialogue is respect earned from their constituency. They have to earn that trust and respect and then build on that. The National Dialogue process will benefit from creative, contextual and sustained participation of religious leaders. This demands governance facilitation that goes beyond external engagement. Investment of time, skill and social capital in such a process elevates the National Dialogue and as well ties it strongly to the concerns, feelings and understandings of the societal grass root basis. However, such a process should be built with sensitivity to the values of the religious community. The modus operandi of other sectors should not be indiscriminately utilized and expected to bring results in religious institutions. Those who work towards bringing on board the religious leaders should wisely avoid focusing on few bad examples. There is unacceptable behavior of some religious leaders that undermines the values of the constituency, but these should not be allowed to represent the majority. The approach should be capitalizing on faith values and the majority who adhere to these values.
BY WAKUMAN KUDAMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 3 AUGUST 2024
