OBN Cyber Media: July 15, 2026
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has called on more than 4,000 delegates gathered in Addis Ababa (Finfinnee) for Ethiopia’s Grand National Dialogue Conference to embrace the historic responsibility of laying the foundation for lasting peace, national unity and democratic consensus for generations to come.
Addressing representatives drawn from across Ethiopia and the Diaspora at the opening of the conference, the Prime Minister described the gathering as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to “write a new chapter of Ethiopia’s history.” He urged participants to rise above political, ethnic and regional differences and focus on the future of the nation rather than the interests of any particular group.
The Prime Minister praised the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission for successfully leading a challenging four-year nationwide consultation process that engaged hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians from all walks of life. He commended the commissioners for their dedication and sacrifice in bringing the country to this decisive stage of the dialogue process.
Abiy stressed that Ethiopia’s history has too often been marked by political disputes that begin with confrontation and end in violence. He said the National Dialogue offers a unique opportunity to break that cycle by replacing conflict with dialogue, compromise, forgiveness and mutual understanding.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s rich traditions of mediation and reconciliation, the Prime Minister said the country’s indigenous culture has long resolved disagreements through dialogue under the spirit of the Warka tree (fig), where communities gather to listen, reconcile and build consensus. Reviving that culture, he noted, is essential for building a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia.
The Prime Minister also called on delegates to listen carefully to one another, especially to the voices of smaller communities, emphasizing that sustainable national consensus can only emerge when every Ethiopian feels heard and respected. He urged participants to present proposals that strengthen the country without harming the interests of others, saying the dialogue should be guided by the principle of “not for me, but for all Ethiopians.”
Referring to Ethiopia’s long history and strategic importance, Abiy warned against allowing internal divisions to create opportunities for external actors to undermine the country’s national interests. A case in point that the premier raised with regret was the nation’s historical loss of its Red Sea access due to a lack of proper deliberation among concerned stakeholders. He stressed that while Ethiopians may hold different views, national issues must ultimately be resolved through dialogue among Ethiopians themselves.
The Prime Minister encouraged delegates to remain fully committed throughout the conference, avoiding outside distractions and concentrating entirely on producing recommendations that will benefit future generations. He expressed confidence that the outcome of the conference could establish a lasting culture of peaceful political dialogue and democratic transition in Ethiopia.
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Abiy expressed optimism that Ethiopia can once again become a model for Africa by transforming challenges into opportunities through wisdom, unity and peaceful consultation. He thanked the National Dialogue Commission, religious leaders, elders and all participants for their contributions, urging them to deliver decisions that will secure peace, stability, development and national cohesion for generations to come.
“This is not a conference for today’s Ethiopia alone,” the Prime Minister emphasized. “It is a responsibility to future generations. Let us use this historic opportunity to build an Ethiopia where dialogue triumphs over conflict, unity over division, and hope over despair.”
