National Dialogue Cultivates Culture of Consultation and Consensus

Addis Ababa, March 11, 2026 (ENA)—The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission says the ongoing national dialogue is helping to cultivate a culture of resolving national challenges through consultation and dialogue, while advancing efforts to build broad consensus across the country.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Commissioner Yonas Adaye said the process is already showing progress in encouraging dialogue-based solutions to long standing political and social grievances.

He explained that the consultation initiative has now reached a crucial stage in strengthening national consensus and reinforcing state building efforts.

Since its establishment, the Commission has undertaken extensive activities aimed at addressing historical grievances through inclusive dialogue while laying the groundwork for a stronger and more unified state.

The process has brought together a wide range of stakeholders in discussions designed to gather national agendas and encourage broad public participation.

Citizens from various sections of society including political parties, scholars and members of the diaspora have actively taken part in agenda gathering and participatory consultations conducted across several regions and the two city administrations.

“The process has created a valuable opportunity to cultivate a culture of consultation that seeks solutions through dialogue and helps build trust among citizens,” Yonas said.

The commissioner also pointed to what he described as a notable development in the process. Armed groups operating in the Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz regions that have accepted peaceful engagement have submitted their agendas to the Commission.

According to Yonas, this step shows in practice that national challenges can be addressed through peaceful consultation rather than confrontation.

“It has strengthened public confidence in the consultation process and given citizens renewed hope,” he said.

Ensuring inclusiveness remains a central principle of the Commission, he added. Extensive preparatory work has been undertaken to enable citizens to freely express their views through representatives participating in the consultations.

Yonas noted that preliminary consultation forums conducted in the Tigray region are playing an important role in ensuring the process becomes fully inclusive. Preparations are underway to organize broader consultations in the region with careful planning and wide participation.

He also indicated that the extension of the Commission’s mandate provides an opportunity to complete the ongoing tasks with greater depth and effectiveness.

Compiling the agendas collected during the consultations and making them public will be a critical step in advancing the dialogue process, he said.

The final stage will involve preparing detailed consultation outcomes and presenting them to relevant institutions and stakeholders for implementation, according to the commissioner.