AMN Plus-July 15, 2026
The outcomes of the historic Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference will play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future destiny, said Prof. Mesfin Araya, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC).
The long-awaited National Dialogue Conference has officially commenced in the presence of senior government officials, elders, religious leaders, international representatives, and participants drawn from across Ethiopia.
The conference aims to address longstanding national challenges, resolve differences through a peaceful and civilized dialogue process, and lay the foundation for a stronger and more united Ethiopia for current and future generations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Mesfin noted that differences of opinion are a natural expression of diversity and an important component of democracy. However, he stressed that challenges emerge when disagreements are addressed through confrontation and force rather than through dialogue and mutual understanding.
He emphasized that Ethiopia’s deep-rooted political and social challenges cannot be resolved through temporary measures, highlighting that an inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based national dialogue remains the most sustainable path toward lasting solutions.
Prof. Mesfin further explained that extensive preparations had been carried out to ensure the credibility of the process, including the establishment of transparent procedures, the selection of participants through a neutral approach, and the collection and development of agendas from communities across the country with the support of scholars and experts.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Commissioner urged all participants to rise above personal and group interests and engage in the dialogue with sincerity, openness, and a spirit of compromise, placing Ethiopia’s national interest at the center of their deliberations.
By Birhanu Workneh
