Lasting Peace Key to Ethiopia’s National Renewal: Ministry of Peace Says

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (ENA) -- The Ministry of Peace has reaffirmed that lasting peace is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s national renewal, urging all citizens to take shared responsibility in securing it.

This message was emphasized during a national consultation forum held in Adama under the theme “Sustaining Our Peace for Ethiopia’s Renewal.”

The forum brought together leaders from peace and security sectors across all regional states and the two city administrations.

The event aimed to cultivate transparent, inclusive, and visionary leadership to steer Ethiopia through its complex journey of peacebuilding and development.

In his remarks, Minister of Peace Mohamed Edris highlighted the inseparable link between peace and development. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts across all sectors and levels of society, stating, “Peace is not the task of a few; it requires the active participation of all.”

 

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to national renewal, the Minister emphasized that sustainable development and unity can only be achieved through lasting peace.

He outlined several initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry, including partnerships with religious institutions and the integration of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms into national frameworks.

“These efforts are essential to building a stable and prosperous future for the next generation,” he said. “For Ethiopia to succeed in its reconstruction journey, peace must be everyone’s responsibility.”

The Minister also pointed to the multifaceted nature of Ethiopia's peace strategy, which includes expanding political participation, promoting dialogue over armed resistance, and fostering inclusive national conversations.

He noted that the government’s dual approach—combining negotiation with law enforcement—has played a crucial role in restoring order, reducing violence, and creating the groundwork for reconciliation.

“Peacebuilding and development are interdependent,” he said, noting visible progress in areas where communities and institutions are working together effectively.

Calling for greater synergy among security institutions, the Minister emphasized the need for alignment with the broader national peace agenda.

The minister also underscored the importance of community engagement, intelligence-sharing, and proactive conflict prevention to safeguard recent gains.

The Ministry, he added, remains committed to strengthening institutional frameworks for peaceful governance, enhancing regional capacity for mediation and peace enforcement, and promoting a national culture that prioritizes dialogue over violence.

 

Participants at the forum echoed the Minister’s call to action, pledging to intensify public engagement and deepen community involvement in sustaining peace.

Ismail Abdurahman, Chief of the Militia Office in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, is committed to strengthening peacebuilding efforts while addressing the region’s social and economic challenges.

 

 Ujulu Umed, Administrator of Gambella’s Agnuak Zone, described the discussions as constructive and expressed a strong commitment to increasing public ownership of peace initiatives.

 

Ahmed Ware, Head of Peace and Security in the Wosiruse Zone of the Afar Region, pledged to fully implement the peace strategy in his zone, ensuring that peace efforts produce tangible, positive outcomes for local communities.