Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Reaffirms Readiness to Make Historic Dialogue More Participatory, Inclusive
Addis Ababa, May 31, 2025 —
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the ongoing national dialogue process is inclusive and participatory, with the objective of identifying sustainable solutions to the country’s long-standing challenges.
A three-day Federal-Level Stakeholders’ Agenda Collection and Consultation Forum officially commenced today in Addis Ababa.
In his opening address, Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya emphasized that the Commission, in collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders, is undertaking concerted efforts to realize the aspirations of the Ethiopian people. He further noted that the inclusion of the Tigray Regional State in the national dialogue process, as well as the collection of agendas from the Ethiopian diaspora, remain key priorities for the Commission moving forward.
Professor Mesfin reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to a national dialogue process that is truly representative and inclusive, with the aim of addressing the root causes of Ethiopia’s multifaceted challenges.
He called upon religious leaders, community elders, political parties, media institutions, civic and professional associations, influential public figures, and democratic and law enforcement institutions to play a critical role in ensuring the success of this historic national dialogue.
Also speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Ambaye Ogato underscored the urgency of taking bold and courageous steps to resolve the country’s complex issues through inclusive dialogue. He stressed that the success of the process depends on the active engagement of all stakeholders, asserting that in a national dialogue of such magnitude, there can be no passive observers.
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was officially established on February 23, 2022, with the mandate of facilitating national dialogue on the country’s most fundamental issues. Since its establishment, the Commission has undertaken numerous preparatory activities, including agenda collection from various regions and societal groups across the country.
The current consultation marks a significant step forward in the Commission’s ongoing efforts to create a platform for constructive and inclusive national discourse.
Notably, General Tadese Worede, President of the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA), participated in the consultative forum, highlighting the importance of inclusive representation in the dialogue process.
However, his participation has been met with criticism from several Tigrayan elites, civil society actors, and political groups. They argue that the National Dialogue Commission, lacking prosecutorial power or a mandate to assign individual criminal responsibility, is structurally incapable of addressing demands for justice and accountability stemming from the Tigray conflict. As such, critics contend that the Commission serves, in effect, as a shield for Prosperity Party (PP) leadership and military commanders implicated in alleged atrocities.
Moreover, they caution that President Worede’s involvement could be construed as conferring legitimacy on a process perceived by many Tigrayans as exclusionary and inadequate. His presence, they argue, risks being used by both the federal government and international actors to project a false narrative of Tigrayan endorsement of a dialogue process that does not meet the community’s core demands particularly around justice, redress, and historical recognition of the suffering endured.
Dissenting voices further stress that the very formation of the NDC was exclusionary, taking place during a period of armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Tigray, without the meaningful inclusion of Tigrayan civil society, political parties (including the TPLF), religious leaders, or victims’ groups. As such, they question the legitimacy and credibility of the Commission in representing or responding to the specific grievances of the Tigrayan people.
Despite these concerns, Horn News Hub (HNH) remains committed to supporting national reconciliation, inclusive dialogue, and long-term peacebuilding. As an independent digital media platform, HNH has consistently promoted peace, national cohesion, and strategic priorities such as equitable development, regional diplomacy, and the defense of Ethiopia’s sovereignty. While maintaining our editorial independence, we recognize the importance of federal initiatives like the National Dialogue Commission in fostering truth, reconciliation, and post-conflict recovery.
We firmly believe that independent media can constructively complement government-led processes, serving as a vital bridge between citizens, policymakers, and Ethiopia’s broader national interests.
