Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Enters Final Phase as Nationwide Forum Set for July 15

Addis Ababa, June 12, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia's effort to foster national reconciliation and forge consensus on critical political issues is set to reach a major milestone as the country's main national dialogue forum convenes on July 15, 2026, according to the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission.

Announcing the development at a press briefing tonight, Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya said preparations for the landmark forum have been successfully completed following an extensive nationwide consultation process.

He noted that the initiative has attracted broad participation from citizens and stakeholders across the country, reflecting growing public engagement in efforts to address longstanding national challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Professor Mesfin emphasized that the dialogue process has thus far been conducted in an inclusive, independent, and democratic manner.

 

The main and the final forum, scheduled to run for three consecutive weeks in Addis Ababa, will bring together representatives from diverse social, political, religious, and community backgrounds.

Participants are expected to arrive in the capital one week before the official opening to finalize preparations and build consensus on procedural matters.

The commissioner revealed that agenda-gathering and participant-identification efforts have reached an unprecedented scale.

According to the commission, dialogue agendas were collected from 1,234 districts, representing approximately 93 percent of Ethiopia's administrative districts, covering regional states and the country's two city administrations.

 

 The consultation process also extended to members of the Ethiopian diaspora, ensuring that voices from abroad are included in the national conversation.

The upcoming forum marks a significant chapter in Ethiopia's broader national dialogue initiative, which was launched to address deep-rooted political polarization, historical grievances, and competing narratives that have shaped the country's political landscape for decades.

Established through a parliamentary mandate, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was tasked with facilitating an Ethiopian-led process aimed at identifying common ground on issues of national importance and promoting peaceful solutions to complex political and constitutional questions.

Since its establishment, the commission has undertaken extensive consultations across the country, gathering thousands of proposals, concerns, and recommendations from citizens.

The process has sought to ensure representation from Ethiopia's diverse ethnic, religious, social, and political communities, with the objective of fostering mutual understanding and strengthening national cohesion.

Observers view the forthcoming forum as one of the most consequential political consultations in Ethiopia's recent history.

 

 At a time when many countries around the world are grappling with polarization and social fragmentation, Ethiopia's dialogue process is being closely watched as an attempt to resolve differences through inclusive engagement and consensus-building.

Supporters argue that a successful outcome could contribute significantly to lasting peace, democratic consolidation, and sustainable development in one of Africa's most strategically important nations.

As Ethiopia prepares to convene the nationwide forum next month, expectations remain high that the dialogue will provide a historic platform for addressing contentious issues, building trust among communities, and charting a shared vision for the country's future.