Religious Leaders Describe National Dialogue as Path to Sustainable Peace

Addis Ababa, July 9, 2026 (ENA) — Religious leaders from Ethiopia’s faith communities have voiced firm support for the national dialogue, describing it as an unmatched opportunity to resolve deep-rooted grievances and foster a lasting culture of tolerance and peaceful debate.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, faith leaders emphasized that national dialogue must lead the country out of cycles of conflict and suffering.  

Ibrahim Mulushewa, board member of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia and representative of Islamic Affairs, emphasized that the culture of having political dialogue needs to be strengthened.   

According to him, the periods the country passed without war were very few, and the root of all these problems is a lack of dialogue. 

He added that “What we need now is a national dialogue to remove the illusions and destructive conflicts that have brought us to where we are.”

Daniel Seifemichael, Head of Communications Affairs for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod, for his part, emphasized that applying longstanding customary and religious dispute-resolution practices at the national level is crucial to have an enduring peace.   

 

“Resolving national problems in a national way is a major opportunity and a major responsibility,” he added.  

“By holding the dialogue in the proper spirit and on the right values, we give those discussions real meaning. If we respect the values and identities participants bring, I believe we can solve our problems through mediation and dialogue”, Daniel told.

Ashebir Ketema, External Relations Director for the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers Churches, highlighted the commission’s grassroots reach. 

“Since the National Dialogue Commission began its activity about four years ago, believers and churches have participated through prayer, presence, and consultative assemblies,” he noted.  

“It went down to the level of woredas, reaching the people, touching their suffering and grief, and addressing issues that had long been neglected. The benefit will have large, significant inputs into the nation”, Ashebir stated.

Mekdem Geremew, Head of Administration and Strategy at the Catholic Bishops Conference General Secretariat, also described the process as a moral mandate.  

“Religious institutions should speak the truth. The truth is love. The truth is justice,” he said.  

“This national level dialogue is a hope for the next generation, and we have a responsibility to realize that hope”, Mekdim said. 

The National Dialogue Commission expects some 4,000 participants, including diaspora representatives, to convene at the Addis International Convention Centre and nearby accommodations.  

With eight main agenda items set for detailed deliberation, religious leaders urged participants to embrace respectful exchange and a shared commitment to implementation, saying dialogue offers the clearest path to sustainable peace.