Addis Ababa, July 31, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission says participants in the ongoing dialogue process are increasingly moving toward common ground by engaging on shared national issues and seeking collective solutions.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Professor Mesfin Araya said expectations from the dialogue remain high among Ethiopians at home and abroad, reflecting a strong desire to address longstanding issues through peaceful discussion and mutual understanding.
He said the dialogue aims to provide a platform to discuss national questions that have contributed to disagreements, conflicts and tensions over generations, while establishing a shared path toward peace and national cohesion.
Professor Mesfin praised the commitment and responsibility demonstrated by participants, noting that even those who entered the process with differing and potentially opposing views have shown willingness to listen, engage and move toward compromise.
He said participants are increasingly recognizing the importance of putting national interests above narrower concerns, adding that discussions have gradually shifted from identity-based demands toward broader conversations on shared rights, mutual respect and collective aspirations.
The Chief Commissioner said the dialogue will advance further as around 500 representatives convene in the next phase of the process. He acknowledged that discussions among such a diverse group will present challenges but stressed that meaningful dialogue requires openness, compromise and a willingness to find common ground.
He added that questions and concerns emerging during the process should be addressed through transparency, facts and continued public engagement, enabling citizens to better understand the objectives and progress of Ethiopia’s National Dialogue.