Addis Ababa, August 24, 2025 (FMC) — Promoting Ethiopia’s national values is critical to building a sustainable democratic system, according to experts and senior officials who participated in a discussion on Minister Tesfaye Beljige’s new book “The Search for Ethiopian Democracy.”
Social Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, Deacon Daniel Kibret, stressed that values such as reconciliation, mediation, and respect for the rule of law must be reinforced as guiding principles of Ethiopia’s democracy-building efforts. He said these values serve as the “yeast” that strengthens inclusivity and resilience in the country’s political system.
Journalism and Communication scholar Kemal Hashi commended the initiative, noting that government leaders sharing their experiences—like Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s own reflections on reform—can advance democratic dialogue. He added that the book emphasizes the need to apply democracy inclusively while grounding it in Ethiopia’s own knowledge systems.
Author Tesfaye Beljige (PhD), Chief Government Whip Minister, explained that his work seeks to make a meaningful contribution to Ethiopia’s democratic journey by presenting a vision rooted in the nation’s unique historical and cultural context.
Philosopher and researcher Zerihun Teshome supported this view, stressing that previous attempts to adopt imported democratic models had largely failed. He praised the book’s focus on indigenous knowledge as a more effective approach to democratic development.
The forum concluded with a call for Ethiopia to strengthen its cultural values as a cornerstone for a homegrown and sustainable democratic order.