Addis Ababa, July 15, 2026 — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launched Ethiopia’s long-awaited National Dialogue Conference today in Addis Ababa, describing the gathering as a defining moment in the nation’s modern history and a crucial step toward protecting the country from external interference.
In his opening address at the Addis Ababa International Convention Center, Abiy called on Ethiopians to break what he described as a recurring political cycle “that begins with inflammatory rhetoric and ends in violent action”.
“Together, let us cultivate hope, forgiveness, and peaceful coexistence by resolving our differences through dialogue and reconciliation within our own country,” the Prime Minister declared.
A Bottom-Up National Endeavor
The forum, organized by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC), brings together more than 4,000 participants from across the country for deliberations expected to span several weeks. Delegates represent diverse communities from more than 1,200 administrative districts (woredas) nationwide, including civil society organizations, religious institutions, youth, women, and diaspora representatives.
Abiy emphasized that the dialogue was built through a “bottom-up agenda-setting process involving hundreds of thousands of citizens,” making it a comprehensive national platform that reflects the voices and concerns of ordinary Ethiopians. According to the National Dialogue Commission, the agenda items were generated entirely through nationwide grassroots consultations, rather than predetermined political prescriptions.
Eight Pillars of National Consensus
Discussions at the conference will pivot around eight major thematic pillars identified through the citizen consultation process. These include:
- State building — focusing on historical narratives, national identity, citizenship, and social cohesion
- Structure and form of government — examining the federal system and constitutional order
- Constitutional status of federal cities — addressing Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa
- Religious affairs — strengthening interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence
- Institutional building and rule of law — reinforcing democratic institutions and judicial independence
- Socio-economic affairs — promoting equitable development and addressing concerns of farmers, pastoralists, and youth
- Anti-corruption and good governance — strengthening transparency and accountability
- Peacebuilding — advancing reconciliation, preventing conflict, and establishing sustainable peace mechanisms
Safeguarding Sovereignty Against External Threats
A central theme of Abiy’s address was the need for national unity to protect Ethiopia from foreign interference. “Let us together plant hope, forgiveness, and coexistence; by resolving our problems through internal dialogue and mutual forgiveness, let us protect our country from foreign intervention,” he said.
The Prime Minister cautioned that internal differences could create opportunities for external actors seeking to exploit Ethiopia’s challenges. Drawing on a traditional proverb from the Tembaro community, he likened such actors to “vultures that appear only after conflict, seeking to benefit from the nation’s difficulties”.
Reflecting on Ethiopia’s history, Abiy noted that periods of internal division have often created opportunities for outside interference—including the country’s loss of direct access to the Red Sea. He warned that current propaganda campaigns reflect attempts to weaken Ethiopia by fueling internal discord.
“The people of Ethiopia must know one thing: our differences should be resolved in a civilized manner around the table,” Abiy declared, emphasizing that national interests cannot be dictated by external forces.
A Legacy for Future Generations
The Prime Minister framed the dialogue as an intergenerational responsibility, noting that participants carry the hopes of more than 130 million Ethiopians and generations yet to come. “We must work with a great sense of responsibility so that our children do not once again miss the opportunities that we and our predecessors failed to achieve,” he said.
By setting aside local interests and deliberating for the sake of Ethiopia, “we are planting good seeds that will benefit future generations,” Abiy underlined.
Drawing inspiration from the historic Battle of Adwa, the Prime Minister drew a powerful parallel: while previous generations fought with blood and lives to defend the nation’s freedom, today’s challenges require a different kind of strength. “Ethiopia is not calling for those who carry rifles. It is calling for champions of peace—citizens guided by wisdom, truth, knowledge, and unwavering determination,” he said.
Criticism and Challenges
The opening of the forum was met with renewed criticism from opposition political parties, which questioned both the credibility of the process and its decision-making procedures. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) reiterated its rejection of the national dialogue, arguing that the process lacks the conditions necessary for genuine national consensus.
The party accused the ruling Prosperity Party of restricting political space while presenting itself as the architect of peace, stating: “An entity that created the crisis can never be the entity that solves it”.
Additionally, the TPLF-reinstated Tigray Regional State has rejected the National Dialogue process, accusing the federal government of failing to implement key provisions of the Pretoria peace agreement.
Despite these challenges, the conference is widely regarded as a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to resolve long-standing political, social, and economic challenges through inclusive dialogue and consensus-based solutions. Prime Minister Abiy expressed confidence that Ethiopia stands at the threshold of a great victory, calling the triumph of its people “inevitable”.
The National Dialogue Conference is expected to run for approximately three to four weeks, with delegates divided into groups to deliberate on the eight agenda pillars.
