Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission: The Imperative for Genuine Inclusivity and Reconciliation
The National Dialogue Commission’s recent parliamentary report underscores a fundamental crisis in Ethiopia’s path to reconciliation. At the heart of this crisis lies a critical failure to ensure genuine inclusivity, evidenced by widespread political imprisonment, ongoing conflicts, and systematic exclusion of key voices from the national dialogue.
The Commission’s legitimacy issues stem from its very inception. The process of forming the committee faced widespread rejection from essential stakeholders, including major political parties, civil society organizations, and significant portions of the public. This foundational flaw – establishing a dialogue commission without first securing buy-in from the very entities whose participation is essential – created a legitimacy deficit that continues to undermine the entire process. A truly national dialogue requires not just inclusive procedures, but inclusive formation. The unilateral establishment of such a critical institution reflects the same centralized approach to governance that the dialogue claims to address.
The imprisonment of political figures and activists stands as a profound contradiction to the very concept of national dialogue. During the parliamentary session, Dr. Dessalegn Chanie raised serious concerns about the Commission’s work: “The intellectuals and scholars of the Amhara region are largely in prison. A people cannot participate when its intellectuals are imprisoned.” This systematic detention of outspoken critics and thought leaders represents more than just individual cases of injustice – it signals a fundamental barrier to meaningful national reconciliation.
The fundamental challenges facing the dialogue process extend beyond operational difficulties to core issues of political will. The continuation of conflict in the Amhara region and the detention of thousands of journalists, activists, and opposition leaders for their critical views fundamentally contradict the principles of inclusive dialogue. The Prosperity Party’s systematic suppression of independent voices, coupled with using the Commission as a political instrument, undermines its foundational purpose. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government must demonstrate genuine commitment through concrete actions: ending ongoing conflicts, releasing political prisoners, and engaging in dialogue as an equal participant rather than a controlling force. The current approach suggests the Prosperity Party’s concerning prioritization of political interests over genuine national reconciliation.
The ongoing conflicts in Amhara and Oromia regions have created an environment where genuine dialogue becomes virtually impossible. Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya himself acknowledged the Commission’s difficulties in properly executing their work, particularly in Amhara and Tigray regions compared to other areas. This admission, coupled with parliamentary concerns about withdrawing political parties and their future participation, highlights the deep-rooted challenges facing the dialogue process.
The situation in Tigray remains particularly concerning, with the Commission confirming that their work has not fully begun in the region. As emphasized during parliamentary discussions, “Inclusive means comprehensive, it must include all parties. The people of Tigray must discuss and present their agenda.” The absence of such a significant portion of Ethiopia’s population from this crucial national dialogue undermines any claims of genuine inclusivity.
True reconciliation requires immediate and concrete steps. The release of political prisoners, particularly those detained for their outspoken activism and critical views, must be a priority. These voices are essential for any meaningful national dialogue. Their continued detention sends a clear message about the limits of acceptable discourse and participation in Ethiopia’s political future.
The Commission’s framework needs fundamental restructuring to ensure genuine inclusivity. This means creating safe spaces for dissenting voices, establishing transparent mechanisms for agenda-setting, and ensuring that all communities – regardless of their political stance or regional identity – have meaningful opportunities to participate.
International oversight becomes crucial in this context as a necessary mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency. The international community’s role should focus on supporting genuine inclusivity and reconciliation while helping to create conditions for peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts.
Ethiopia’s future depends on our ability to create a genuinely inclusive national dialogue. This requires more than mere procedural changes – it demands a fundamental shift in approach, prioritizing the release of political prisoners, ending ongoing conflicts, and ensuring all voices, especially critical ones, have a place at the table. Only through such comprehensive reform can the National Dialogue Commission fulfill its essential role in shaping Ethiopia’s democratic future.
The time for these crucial changes is now. Every day that passes with political prisoners behind bars, conflicts unresolved, and voices excluded represents another missed opportunity for genuine national reconciliation. Ethiopia’s path to democratic development and lasting peace depends on our willingness to address these fundamental challenges with the urgency and seriousness they deserve.
© Written by Yaphet Teffera, North America Support Group
