Ethiopia’s Unity Can Redefine Africa’s Future, Says Uhuru Kenyatta

Addis Ababa, August 22, 2026 (ENA) —Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called on Ethiopians to transform the country’s rich diversity into a source of national strength and make inclusive dialogue the foundation of lasting peace and prosperity.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, Kenyatta commended the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission for bringing thousands of voices together, describing the effort as “an act of patriotism of the highest order.”

He said Ethiopia’s historic contributions to Africa from the victory at Adwa and Emperor Haile Selassie’s international leadership to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa—have given the country a significance that extends far beyond its borders.

“Ethiopia’s history is also African history,” Kenyatta said.

 

He  further emphasized  the country’s enduring role in shaping Africa’s political consciousness, unity and dignity.

He urged Ethiopians to see their diverse peoples, cultures, faiths and traditions not as sources of division, but as a powerful national asset.

“I do not see one people. I see many people,” he said, stressing that Ethiopia’s strength lies in the many communities that together constitute the nation.

Kenyatta also called for broader participation in the national dialogue, urging Ethiopians to reach out to those who remain outside the process.

“Your peace is not a favor. Your peace is the condition of your own rest, and our peace is a condition for all of us in our region,” he said, linking Ethiopia’s stability to peace and security across the Horn of Africa.

 

Drawing on the historic ties between Ethiopia and Kenya, Kenyatta reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to Ethiopia’s peace and stability and endorsed the principle of “African solutions to African problems.”

He further s tressed  that Africa must increasingly draw on its own institutions, traditions and wisdom to resolve its challenges.

Kenyatta urged Ethiopians to choose dialogue, inclusion and reconciliation, emphasizing that national unity must be renewed and sustained by every generation.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” he said.

 

Kenyatta concluded by calling on Ethiopia to turn its peace process into a model capable of inspiring the continent, saying Ethiopia’s journey toward reconciliation could strengthen Africa’s confidence while Africa’s unity could inspire the wider world.