Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference is confronting longstanding challenges and unresolved issues, creating a historic opportunity to forge national consensus, strengthen statehood and lay the foundations for a more peaceful and prosperous future, participants said.
The National Dialogue Conference, centered on eight major agenda items, has been underway in Addis Ababa since July 15, 2026.
Some 4,000 representatives of Ethiopians living both inside the country and abroad are taking part in deep, inclusive and substantive deliberations aimed at building common understanding on eight major national issues.
Participants said the dialogue represents a decisive opportunity to confront and resolve challenges that have persisted for generations and, in doing so, make a major contribution to building a strong and resilient state.
Participant Seyfejemal Haji said he has been taking part in the dialogue in a calm and constructive manner, stressing that the National Dialogue can lay a solid foundation for lasting peace and development by resolving challenges through discussion rather than confrontation.
He noted that in the civilized world, problems are addressed around the table through dialogue, adding that the process currently underway in Ethiopia stands as a powerful demonstration of this principle.
Another participant, Merdu Gebreselassie, emphasized that there is no challenge that cannot be resolved through dialogue when there is genuine commitment to finding solutions.
For this reason, he expressed strong hope that the National Dialogue will further strengthen the unity of Ethiopians and pave the way for development and prosperity.
Participants also underscored the exceptional importance of the dialogue’s inclusive character, noting that citizens drawn from all parts of Ethiopia are participating in the process. This broad representation, they said, gives the platform distinctive significance and offers a genuine reflection of the country’s diverse national character.
Participant Gebeyehu Degoye described the inclusiveness of the dialogue as particularly encouraging, saying the approach gives Ethiopians an equal opportunity to play a meaningful role in determining the future of their country.
He further noted that the platform can provide a historic opportunity to resolve longstanding challenges and create the conditions for all Ethiopians to turn their attention decisively toward development.