Addis Ababa: In a statement the National Intelligence and Security Council of Ethiopia issued recently, it emphasized the imperatives of the processes of the National Dialogue and Transitional Justice Policy which the country has embarked on rectifying shortfalls inherited from past history. This article focuses on the highlights of national dialogue.
The change of political power in Ethiopia in 2018 ushered in a great deal of democratic space for the people of the country. The incumbent government has been taking various series of measures to build strong and viable institutions vital for the transformation of the democratic system of the country.
Right from the outset, the government underlined that aggressive socioeconomic and political transformation was imperative to take Ethiopia into a new heights.
In its long history of statehood, Ethiopia lacked the experience of settling political differences, disagreements and conflicts in a legal and peaceful manner through discussions and dialogues, the statem
ent recalled.
Accordingly, amendments were made to existing laws and policies that were bottlenecks for the democratic system by engaging independent experts during the first two or three years of office. All these measures were made to expedite the nation building process by creating an enabling environment for the public and stakeholders’ wider engagement in all aspects of the country’s endeavors.
The council noted that the country experienced rampant resentments and distrust perpetuated over the past several decades among the various sections of the society coupled with the interests of individuals and groups that operated in the name of political party, fueling different forms of conflict and instability in the country. This is mainly attributed to the weak democratic culture that the country experienced in its history in resolving political disputes, arguments, and conflicts through peaceful talks and dialogues.
The political culture in our nation has been shaped by the ambitions of individuals who ha
ve taken over positions of authority through coercion and have continued to impose their will by having complete control over everything available to them until they are removed by force.
In response to this challenging situation, the country has conducted extensive processes to hold the first ever inclusive national dialogue that involves all segments of the society with a view to resolving centuries old predicaments that the country is facing, heal resentments and wounds caused during the heinous acts of previous political systems.
The reformist government has been reiterating its full support and commitment to the successful conduct of the inclusive dialogue that aims at correcting major fault lines paving the way for creating consensus on basic national issues to the 120 million peoples.
The incumbent government has demonstrated the emergence of a new political culture through a national election that showed the desires of the people and formed a government that is based on the will of the peoples. Mor
eover, the government has demonstrated that this nation is common home for the citizenry. To this effect, the government engaged leaders and members of other political parties into the state nomenclature, which is a new political departure in the history of Ethiopia.
Towards rectifying rampant mistakes inherited from the past, the government initiated the establishment of an independent National Dialogue Commission with 11 commissioners who have proven scholarly independence, impartiality and enthusiasm to see a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Ethiopia.
The commissioners of the National Dialogue, who were appointed to serve their country, are of high caliber and rich experience. The law has empowered them with extensive power to conduct their duties of coordinating and conducting an inclusive national dialogue. They have now charted out extensive outlines on how the inclusive dialogue should be conducted by consulting pertinent stakeholders.
Accordingly, the process of identifying candidates, who would
participate in the national dialogue in 10 regional states and two city administrations and districts have been completed. Meticulous and painstaking tasks have been accomplished in this regard. It has also engaged communities at all levels.
This strategy has considered the public who are the owners of the process as the epicenter of the entire deliberation.The process in the dialogue including the preparation of agendas was not done only from top to bottom but has also initiated idea generation for discussion and agendas were suggested to the higher bodies of the commission
It is expected that the commission will commence dialogue in regional levels within few weeks. It is also expected to finalize identification of participants shortly in areas where identification of participants have not yet conducted.
Thus far, some 12,294 participants have been identified from 679 districts, that would participate in the process, have already been identified.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency