Ethiopia Advances National Dialogue and Transitional Justice Efforts

ADDIS ABABA—Ethiopia is making significant progress in its National Dialogue and Transitional Justice efforts, which are crucial for addressing long-standing issues and fostering democratic development in the country.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the nation has embarked on these transformative processes to rectify the challenges inherited from its historical political turmoil. The recent statement from the council highlighted that the shift in political power in 2018 has opened up substantial democratic space, allowing the government to implement key reforms aimed at building robust institutions essential for democracy.

The government’s initial focus was on socio-economic and political transformations to elevate Ethiopia to new heights of development and stability. This involved revising laws and policies that hindered democratic processes, with input from independent experts in the early years of the current administration. These steps were taken to accelerate nation-building by creating a conducive environment for broad public and stakeholder participation in the country’s development.

The council also pointed out the pervasive resentments and distrust that have plagued Ethiopian society for decades, fueled by political entities acting under various guises, which have led to conflicts and instability. The current government’s approach contrasts sharply with past practices where political disputes were often resolved through coercion. To counteract this, the government has launched the first-ever inclusive national dialogue, involving participants from all segments of society, to address and heal the wounds of past political regimes.

Support for this dialogue has been robust, with the government reiterating its commitment to ensuring its success. The National Dialogue Commission, established with 11 highly qualified commissioners, has been pivotal in this regard. They have drafted comprehensive guidelines for the dialogue process after consulting with relevant stakeholders. Identification of participants for the national dialogue has been completed in 10 regional states and two city administrations, involving meticulous efforts to engage communities at every level.

With the process now moving towards regional dialogues, the commission expects to begin these discussions soon and finalize participant identification in remaining areas. To date, over 12,294 individuals from 679 districts have been slated to participate in the dialogue, emphasizing the inclusive nature of this initiative.