Ethiopia: Participants Call for Lasting Peace Through Dialogue

– Participants in the National Dialogue process in Ethiopia’s Amhara state have urged communities to embrace dialogue as a means to achieve lasting peace and end ongoing conflicts.

Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), several participants stressed the critical role of dialogue in resolving disputes and fostering communal harmony. They emphasized that peace is a shared responsibility, calling on all sides to lay down arms and engage in open discussion.

Abera Nigatu, one of the participants, highlighted that dialogue is essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting mutual understanding. “Both armed groups and the government must commit themselves to sustaining peace in the state,” he said. “Encouraging mutual respect and common understanding can significantly contribute to resolving conflicts and achieving lasting peace.”

He also underlined the responsibility of the broader community to play an active role in peace building, urging people to set aside differences and work together for stability in Amhara and the country at large.

Another participant, Gizaw Manaye, expressed optimism that the ongoing national dialogue would yield solutions, especially with the active involvement of youth and other key groups. “Dialogue has helped many countries overcome their internal challenges. In the 21st century, peaceful dialogue is the only viable path to resolving problems,” he noted.

Gizaw stressed that the suffering caused by conflict has affected entire communities, and all parties involved bear responsibility. He called for the effective use of the national dialogue process as a tool for healing and reconciliation.