Addis Ababa, July 15, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on Ethiopians to use the National Dialogue Conference as a historic opportunity to end longstanding political patterns of confrontation and build a future founded on dialogue, mutual respect and national consensus.
Addressing the opening session of the National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia is at a defining moment where it can break a cycle in its political journey that begins with inflammatory rhetoric and ends in violent action, replacing it with a culture of dialogue and discussion.
The Prime Minister described the conference as a rare and significant undertaking in Ethiopia’s modern history, bringing together 4,000 participants under one platform to deliberate on issues critical to the country’s future.
He said the National Dialogue provides Ethiopians with an opportunity to shape their own history through consultation, describing it as a moment to build a stronger foundation for current and future generations.
Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that the dialogue process was built through a bottom-up agenda-setting approach involving hundreds of thousands of citizens, making it a comprehensive national platform that reflects the voices and concerns of Ethiopians.
He called on participants to approach the conference with wisdom, humility and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that the outcome of the dialogue depends on their commitment to prioritizing national interests over narrow considerations.
The Prime Minister said Ethiopia’s challenges should be transformed into opportunities, noting that the country’s long history has been marked by hardships that can be overcome through collective efforts and constructive engagement.
He emphasized the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, saying that genuine understanding of others’ concerns is essential for finding common solutions. He highlighted Ethiopia’s traditions of reconciliation and dialogue as valuable foundations for building consensus and peaceful coexistence.
Prime Minister Abiy urged participants to deliberate with future generations in mind, saying the decisions and discussions of today should create lasting benefits for the country’s children and those who will come after them.
He also cautioned that internal differences can create opportunities for external actors seeking to exploit Ethiopia’s challenges, stressing that Ethiopians must resolve their disagreements through dialogue and reconciliation within the country.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Ethiopia’s future should be determined by its people, calling on participants to achieve a historic outcome that strengthens national unity, contributes to lasting peace and demonstrates the value of dialogue as a means of resolving differences.
He said the success of the National Dialogue could serve as an example beyond Ethiopia by showing how a nation can transform challenges into opportunities through collective responsibility and shared commitment.