National Dialogue Process Moving Toward Conclusion Phase: Chief Commissioner Mesfin

Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference is moving toward its conclusion phase following extensive deliberations among participants, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Professor Mesfin Araya said.

Speaking to the media on the current status of the consultation process, Professor Mesfin said the process is being strengthened and progressing to a more advanced stage.

He explained that ideas initially raised by groups of 10 and 50 participants were subsequently expanded and deliberated upon by 250 member groups.

At the current stage, two groups of 250 participants have compiled and documented their deliberations and are presenting their findings to 500 consultation groups, he said.

Members of the 500 groups, who have begun the next phase of the consultation, are listening to the ideas presented to them and carefully developing those that should be incorporated into the final outcome, according to the Chief Commissioner.

He said the 250 participants currently engaged in discussions will conclude their deliberations this afternoon, while those completing their discussions tomorrow morning will present their findings to the 500 groups tomorrow afternoon.

Professor Mesfin further elaborated that differences of opinion, arguments and occasional emotional exchanges observed at the beginning of the process are natural indicators of broad participation and vitality in the consultation.

He noted that participants express diverse views because they consider the consultation an opportunity to reflect on issues of both immediate and long-term national importance.

However, he stressed that excessive emotional exchanges are not acceptable under the Commission's rules of procedure.

"One of the principles of the consultation process is respect. The second is to talk, listen and come to the center," he said, urging participants to uphold these principles throughout the process.

The Chief Commissioner also emphasized that participants were not gathered to seek solutions to individual questions raised by villages or local areas, but to deliberate on national issues with Ethiopia as the central focus.

He stressed that the consultation is not a decision-making process, but rather a process of providing advice.

The advice generated through the consultation will be conveyed to law enforcement institutions, legislators, legal interpreters, political parties and civil society organizations, he said.

Professor Mesfin dismissed rumors that decisions would be made through majority voting or under internal or external pressure.

He explained that the current debates and disagreements among participants represent the "divergence" phase of the consultation process and are therefore a normal part of the deliberations.

He said the process will eventually move into a "convergence" phase, during which participants will set aside individual positions and work toward common ideas centered on Ethiopia.

He pointed out that some agendas initially considered highly controversial have already been brought to the center of discussions by participants who recognized them as issues of shared national concern.

The Chief Commissioner said the consultation process is progressing well and that, following a month of intensive work, the consultation involving 4,000 participants is expected to be completed within the next one to two weeks.

He said the Commission will then submit its proposals to the executive body, while implementation of the recommendations will be monitored and made public.

Professor Mesfin expressed gratitude to all those following and supporting the consultation process with humility, both in Ethiopia and abroad.