Elites Urged to Capitalize on Values that Unite Ethiopians, Rather Than on Discordant Rhetorics

May 19 /2021 (ENA)   Peace Minister Muferihat Kamil urged Ethiopian elites to capitalize on the values that unite the people instead of discordant rhetorics that impede national consensus.

Speaking at a three-day consultative forum that opened yesterday, the minister said this is the  right time for building a harmonious society by capitalizing on the common values of the Ethiopian people.

Noting that everything in Ethiopia is nowadays politicized and has been a source of differences, Muferihat stressed that the issue of peace and security has to at least be a common agenda for the elites.

“Though peace is a multifaceted issue, we can build tranquility and a healthy society. And at the end of the day, the harmonious society can be a competitive force for the country.”

According to her, the government has political willingness and commitment to bring together the country’s elites and other concerned bodies in the effort to hold a national dialogue.

“I believe we (the government) have more political commitment than the political will in this country. This political commitment has been demonstrated over the past three years through  pragmatic leadership, institution building and practice.”

She pointed out that the government will hold a three-pronged fora to help build national consultations. Those are community-focused consultations, elites consultations, and public service sector consultations, it was learned.

Senior researcher at the NGO Justice for All, Ambaye Ogato said inclusive national consensus will help to bring lasting peace, develop a culture of tolerance, and accelerate development. 

Presenting his paper entitled "Journey to National Consensus, Challenges and Future Opportunities," he said a national consensus is needed to have a common vision for the development of the country and to establish a new social contract.

“I believe that national consultation will determine the destiny of Ethiopia's future. Therefore, each of us has a responsibility to do this. As Winston Churchill said, “The price of greatness is responsibility,” and  we Ethiopians have this responsibility,” the researcher underscored.

However, he strongly pointed out that the country will never allow any imported platform of national dialogue and this has to be facilitated by Ethiopians for their own domestic issues.

Participants of the forum on their part lauded the process of national consultation that the ministry has started in order to create consensus on national issues.

A three-day consultative forum in which opposition political parties, academicians, civil society organizations, and various representatives of the society are taking part has been conducted with a view to promoting a culture of peace and reconciliation as well as building civic political culture.