Overview Of The Ethiopian National Dialogue Process

CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY HAS RELEASED AN OVERVIEW OF THE ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL DIALOGUE PROCESS.  

The Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) has conducted an overview of the Ethiopian National Dialogue process, aimed at assessing the inclusivity and transparency of the preparation phase.

The Ethiopian National Dialogue is a critical initiative designed to address long-standing national issues through credible, inclusive, and participatory dialogue. CARD's overview highlights the necessity of this dialogue in renewing social and political cohesion and establishing sustainable peace amidst Ethiopia's increasingly complex political challenges.

The report has identified significant challenges encountered during the formation of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, including limited stakeholder consultations during the formulation of the proclamation, unclear criteria for selecting commissioners, and failure to continuously improve the popular legitimacy of the process. These issues have raised concerns about the legitimacy, transparency, and inclusivity of the process. The overview includes strategic recommendations aimed at improving the transparency and inclusivity of the process to ensure that the initiative delivers on its promise of creating a national consensus on fundamental national issues. CARD also advocates for implementing clear guidelines to streamline stakeholder engagement within the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, empowering individuals with the knowledge and insights necessary to contribute meaningfully to the dialogue.

CARD calls on the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission and relevant stakeholders to seriously consider the need for greater inclusivity and transparency of this historical political process with far reaching ramification. CARD also invites policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders to engage with the findings of this overview to call for greater improvement of the process for it to deliver on its promise of greater state legitimacy and national consensus on fundamental national issues.

The overview report is available for download here