Ethiopia in Changing Political Trajectory, Transformation: Nat’l Dialogue Commissioner

Addis Ababa, May 31, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia is in a changing political trajectory where 'winners take all' is substituted by 'win-win' approach, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commissioner Yonas Adaye said. 

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commissioner Yonas Adaye   said the ongoing national dialogue is a first of its kind in Ethiopia’s history, which is a huge opportunity for Ethiopia and Ethiopians.

“The current government leading the transformation of the society as a whole opted for  dialogue; and that is the right way, in the right time.”

The national dialogue started from grassroots level, religious leaders, youth, and women, among others.

“In short, Ethiopia is in a changing political trajectory, where you are going to have 'winners take all' substituted by the all winning 'win-win' approach of politics. We are in that sort of transformation,” he elaborated.

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was established on February 23, 2022 with the aim of facilitating dialogue on fundamental issues of the country.

Since then, it has been undertaking a number of activities, including collection of agendas in various parts of the country from various segments of the society.

“So far we have had a discussion or dialogue with 126,000 Ethiopians, and now we are at federal level, institutions and associations coming together,” the commissioner said. 

 

On endeavors being carried to ensure inclusivity, he noted that what matters most on inclusivity is idea representation, not necessarily 130 million people coming here, but their ideas being represented.

Yonas further stated that including Tigray Regional State in the process, diaspora engagement; and finally conducting the dialogue at national level, which is called the National Dialogue Conference after three months, are next major priorities in the dialogue process.

Ethiopia is undertaking bold measures to solve its multifaceted problems through conducting the historic national dialogue by engaging all segments of the society.