Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Key Pathway to Peace and Prosperity, Says Emeritus Prof. Al Mariam

Addis Ababa, July 3, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia's national dialogue is a vital pathway to lasting peace, progress, and prosperity, offering a structured and peaceful means of addressing longstanding national grievances, Emeritus Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam, widely known as Al Mariam, has said.

In an interview with ENA, Prof. Al Mariam described the National Dialogue Commission as a unique institution in modern peacebuilding and conflict resolution, established by law and guided by a clear mandate to deliver tangible outcomes.

He said the Commission's mission is to identify issues that have affected Ethiopian society for decades through an inclusive, grassroots-driven process.

According to the professor, the dialogue has reached communities across the country through representatives, whose contributions will feed into the upcoming National Dialogue Conference.

Prof. Al Mariam stressed that dialogue, not violence, is the only sustainable foundation for resolving disputes.

"Power grows out of dialogue," he said, urging Ethiopians to embrace meaningful conversations, listen to one another, and seek understanding despite differences in perspectives, grievances, and backgrounds.

"The alternative is peace, prosperity and development," he added, explaining that while dialogue may not produce immediate agreement, it creates a path toward mutual understanding through engagement, negotiation, and compromise.

He also underscored the importance of civility and tolerance, warning against deepening divisions based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. Instead, he said Ethiopians share a common destiny and should approach one another with mutual respect and humanity.

Prof. Al Mariam noted that the ongoing national dialogue stands out because of its broad grassroots participation, describing it as unprecedented in Ethiopia's modern history.

He expressed confidence that Ethiopia's experience could become a model for other countries seeking peaceful solutions to internal challenges.

The professor further emphasized that the outcome of the national dialogue will play a decisive role in shaping Ethiopia's future, saying broad agreement and consensus would allow the country to concentrate on reconstruction, development and national prosperity rather than recurring violence.

ENA learned that the National Dialogue Conference is scheduled to begin on July 15, bringing together representatives from across the country to deliberate on nine key agenda areas, including state building, governance, national unity and anti-corruption measures.