Public Dialogues on Achievements of ‘Medemer State’ Held Across Ethiopian Cities
Addis Ababa, December 14, 2025 (FMC) — A nationwide public dialogue, which brought together citizens and leaders to collectively reflect on national achievements, assess ongoing challenges, and strengthen public ownership of Ethiopia’s reform and transformation journey, was held across cities in the country on December 13 and 14.
The dialogue series, themed “The Virtues of Guba: Achievements of the Medemer State,” took place over the two days in more than 25 cities, including Adama, Jimma, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Gode, Dire Dawa, Bonga, Semera-Logia, Harar, and Debre Berhan.
Despite Ethiopia’s geographic and socio-cultural diversity, all discussions followed a unified national theme and agenda.
The dialogues formed part of a broader nationwide civic engagement initiative aimed at fostering an inclusive national conversation around the Medemer State philosophy, which emphasizes unity, cooperation, collective responsibility, and homegrown solutions as pillars of sustainable national progress.
The discussions aimed to consolidate achievements realized through close collaboration between the government and citizens, deepen public ownership of development outcomes, and gather constructive feedback to guide future national priorities. They also sought to move beyond past divisive political paradigms by promoting a shared national narrative rooted in common purpose and mutual responsibility.
Participants drawn from diverse segments of society — including religious leaders, elders, youth, women, business communities, investors, professionals, and scholars — actively engaged in the dialogues, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the Medemer approach.
The discussions focused on the major achievements of the Medemer State philosophy, progress in addressing long-standing public demands, and upcoming national initiatives described as “next-phase promises.” Across cities, residents recognized that multi-sectoral development efforts in recent years had produced tangible, people-centered results.
In Adama, participants highlighted corridor development projects, agricultural transformation — particularly in wheat, fruits, and vegetables — improved service delivery, and urban modernization as key milestones that visibly transformed the city and enhanced livelihoods.
Residents also praised major national projects, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), fertilizer manufacturing initiatives, natural gas development, and Ethiopia’s renewed pursuit of sovereign sea access, describing them as strategic investments in long-term national resilience.
At the same time, speakers noted that rising living costs, unemployment, housing shortages, and gaps in service quality still require sustained, coordinated efforts by both government and citizens.
In Dire Dawa, participants highlighted that reforms in development and good governance following the national reform process had addressed core public concerns, while stressing the need to further strengthen and institutionalize these gains. They cited progress in road and corridor construction, agriculture, mining, industry, tourism, and youth-focused initiatives.
Women participants pointed to encouraging advances in leadership and decision-making roles, while religious leaders emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to promote peace, unity, and social cohesion. Youth representatives welcomed acknowledgment of unemployment challenges and called for expanded job creation and deeper governance reforms.
In Bahir Dar, participants stressed that sustaining peace remains central to realizing large-scale, intergenerational development projects across the Amhara Region and nationwide. They commended the government for advancing strategic infrastructure and development initiatives, describing them as investments benefiting both present and future generations.
Residents also praised the elevation of Ethiopia’s long-standing sea access issue into a national strategic agenda grounded in legal, economic, and practical considerations, emphasizing the need for unity and public support to ensure its success.
Officials facilitating the dialogues explained that discussion documents had been developed based on questions, grievances, and feedback collected from citizens in previous engagements, particularly regarding social services, development performance, cost of living pressures, unemployment, and peace. They noted that the dialogues were designed not only to assess government progress in addressing these concerns but also to reinforce the constitutional principle that sovereign power ultimately resides with the people.
Senior officials emphasized that sustained public dialogues enhance government implementation capacity, strengthen accountability, and deepen civic participation — all essential for delivering durable solutions to long-standing challenges.
Across all cities, participants consistently called for stronger measures to curb living costs, expand employment opportunities, and improve housing supply. Officials reaffirmed that the government will intensify efforts in innovation, particularly in agricultural productivity, job creation, digital services, industrial development, and social protection.
They further highlighted that organized, informed, and constructive public participation remains critical to translating national commitments into tangible results and elevating Ethiopia’s development trajectory to higher and more sustainable levels.
In Semera-Logia, Afar Region, residents highlighted that the political participation and equitable development benefits of the Afar people have been realized in practice under the current reform-driven government.
They praised the transition from aid dependency to a productive agricultural sector, noting extensive irrigation and other agricultural activities.
Youth-centered development and employment initiatives were also recognized, alongside calls for strengthened moral education to prevent human trafficking and crime.
Government officials who presided over the public dialogue emphasized the need for continued joint efforts in agriculture, industry, tourism, mining, and digital development to sustain progress and national unity.
In Harar, Negash Wagesho (PhD), Member of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party and Chief Administrator of Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Regional State, said that challenges over the past years have been turned into opportunities, producing high results across agriculture, industry, technology, tourism, and urban development.
He highlighted progress on Ethiopia’s port issue, international diplomatic achievements, and the successful implementation of large projects that strengthen national prosperity.
Participants noted that exemplary urban development work is being carried out in the Harari Region.
In Bonga, Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Regional State, Tesfaye Beljige (PhD), Government Chief Whip, emphasized that the Ethiopian government is responding to public questions with concrete action.
Participants highlighted achievements over the past seven years, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and efforts to move from aid dependency to surplus productivity, creating employment and stimulating tourism, industrial, and urban-rural corridor development.
Officials also noted proper utilization of natural gas and other mineral resources and international recognition for Ethiopia’s Green Oegacy initiative.
In Debre Berhan, Amhara Region, residents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening peace as the foundation for development.
On the occasion, Mr. Masresha Belachew, Deputy Chief Administrator of Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Regional State, noted that national achievements, including the GERD and other ongoing multibillion-dollar mega projects such as fertilizer plants, nuclear power initiatives, housing construction, natural gas refineries, and a new airport in Bishoftu, are indicators of the country’s prosperity trajectory.
Looking ahear, residents pledged to actively support government-led peace and development efforts, ensuring continued progress and stability.