Reconciliation Commission Consulting Stakeholders to Promote Peace

Addis Ababa ENA August 20/2019 Reconciliation Commission held discussion today with stakeholders with the view to ensuring sustainable peace by promoting social capital.

Members of civil society organizations working on peace, elders, religious leaders, media personnel and other concerned bodies participated in the day-long meeting called by the council.

Reconciliation Commission Chairperson, Archbishop Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel told journalists that the commission has been formulating different strategies to  promote peace since its establishment last year.

He added that developing social capital would play a crucial role in building peace based on the values and custom of the society.

According to the chairperson, Ethiopia has huge experience in traditional reconciliation mechanisms which lay foundation for peace and development.

As the commission is an independent entity, it will announce lists of activities by the end of this month and is expected to be open to all Ethiopians, Archbishop Berhaneyesus revealed.

There are many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) working in the country, especially in areas of peace, he pointed out, adding that the commission is therefore interested to work with them.

A researcher who presented a paper on the role of reconciliation in building peace from Ministry of Peace, Abebe Aynetie said the role of social capital in the development of peace is crucial.

Currently, the peace process taking place in the country is institutionalized by taking social capital into the context, he noted.

According to Abebe, the asset of social capital in Ethiopia which has dwindled over time needs to be revived and blended with modern means and processes of peace building.

All should come together to work for peace and reconciliation by giving emphasis on social capital to ensure prosperity of nation, he underscored.

Reconciliation Commission was set up last December to maintain peace, ensure justice, foster unity and manage consensus among Ethiopia's main political, ethnic, social and religious actors.