Political Parties Pledge to Work Collaboratively for National Interest, Unity, Peace and Consolidation of Democracy

Addis Ababa, July 25, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopian political parties have reaffirmed their commitment to work collaboratively in pursuit of national interest, unity, peace, and strengthening of a democratic system in a joint declaration they issued today.

The declaration was made during the national conference held in Bishoftu over the past two days.

Participants of the conference, organized by the Ministry of Peace and the Joint Council of Ethiopian Political Parties under the theme "The Role of Political Parties in Strengthening Peace," engaged in extensive discussions about the national, regional, and international peace landscape, emphasizing the critical role of political parties in maintaining and strengthening peace in the country.

The participants have underscored their collective responsibility as political leaders, declaring that they “are a symbol of peaceful political struggle, committed to ensuring peace for our society, our country, and future generations.”

Acknowledging the indispensable role of peace in building a democratic system, they finally issued a seven-point declaration, urging all stakeholders to actively fulfill their roles in its realization.

In their joint declaration, the political parties committed to pursuing their goals through democratic, legal, and orderly means, embracing a peaceful and civilized political culture.

They also pledged to uphold and promote democratic institutions and values, and to work collaboratively towards inclusiveness, national unity, consensus, and the advancement of national interests.

The parties further recognized the importance of ideological and political diversity, viewing it as a hallmark of a healthy democracy and affirmed their commitment to fostering a political system grounded in policy, ideas, and merit, essential foundations for democratic good governance.

Finally, they reiterated their dedication to the national interest and the democratic order, vowing to work together to establish a stable political system that protects the dignity of citizens and safeguards the nation’s future.

On July 23, 2025, speaking at the opening of the national conference, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh noted that building a democracy rooted in Ethiopian culture and values require not only political competition but also meaningful cooperation among parties.

He also underscored the need to resolve political differences peacefully and move away from the historic reliance on force as a means of conflict resolution.

The deputy prime minister also condemned extremism and incitement to violence, commending political parties for increasingly adopting peaceful and lawful political practices, urging on all actors to remain committed to peace and to contribute to a culture of dialogue and mutual respect.

Peace Minister Mohamed Idris, on his part, echoed this message, reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to peace building and emphasized the essential role of political parties in fostering national unity and in leading lawful and inclusive mechanisms for resolving disputes.

Joint Council of Ethiopian Political Parties Chairman, Solomon Ayele, also addressed the conference, stressing that a strong democratic culture is essential for sustainable peace and noted that political stability and inclusive governance that respects the rights and identities of all citizens are crucial.