OBN Cyber Media: July 25, 2026
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission says the country’s historic national dialogue has entered a crucial stage, with thousands of delegates actively engaged in structured discussions aimed at forging broad national consensus on Ethiopia’s most pressing issues.
In a statement delivered to the media, today, Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya emphasized that the National Dialogue is not a political contest where winners and losers are determined by majority vote. Rather, he said, it is a consensus-based process designed to enable participants with differing perspectives to reach common ground through respectful dialogue and mutual understanding.
The Commissioner noted that the more than 4,000 delegates participating in the conference have received extensive orientation on the dialogue’s principles, code of conduct, and decision-making procedures before entering thematic and subgroup deliberations. This preparation, he explained, is intended to ensure that discussions remain constructive, inclusive, and focused on finding shared solutions rather than deepening divisions.
Professor Mesfin stressed that the Commission has established an environment where every participant has an equal opportunity to express opinions, listen to differing views, and contribute to consensus-building. He underscored that the process encourages dialogue based on respect, trust, and national responsibility.
According to the Commissioner, the ongoing deliberations are centered on identifying Ethiopia’s shared future rather than revisiting political rivalries. He described the National Dialogue as a historic opportunity to replace polarization with cooperation and to strengthen a culture of resolving differences through peaceful discussion.
He further reaffirmed that the Commission remains committed to conducting the process impartially, transparently, and independently in accordance with its legal mandate. The objective, he said, is to produce nationally owned recommendations that reflect the aspirations of participants and contribute to lasting peace, stability, and democratic state-building.
The Commission called on all Ethiopians to continue supporting the dialogue process with patience and confidence, emphasizing that the success of the initiative depends on collective commitment to peaceful engagement and mutual respect.
The National Dialogue, launched after several years of nationwide agenda collection and consultations, is regarded as one of Ethiopia’s most significant efforts to address long-standing national issues through inclusive and peaceful deliberation, with outcomes expected to help shape the country’s future governance and national cohesion.
