Enat Party Raises Concerns Over Ruling Party Influence in National Dialogue

August 14, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Enat Party has raised concerns over what it says is significant participation by members and supporters of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party in the ongoing national dialogue, questioning the inclusiveness and neutrality of the process.

In a position statement on the dialogue, Enat said participants at discussions held at both district and national levels had, in its assessment, included a large number of ruling-party members and supporters. The party said this had contributed to concerns over whether competing political views were being adequately represented.

The party also cited restrictions on some voices during the process, problems with participant selection and allocation, and what it described as shortcomings in fairness, neutrality and transparency. It further alleged that participants had at times been accompanied by security personnel and faced pressure and harassment from within and outside the process.

Enat said the concerns were not new. It said it had raised objections over the establishment of the National Dialogue Commission, the selection of commissioners, the commission’s working procedures and the conditions needed for an effective and inclusive dialogue.

Despite those concerns, the party said it had decided to remain engaged in the process to present proposals it believes serve the national interest and seek their acceptance among other participants.

The national dialogue, which began on July 15, 2025, is now approaching its final stage, according to the party. Enat said the process was taking place while Ethiopia continued to face armed conflicts in at least three regions, making the resolution of the country’s political and security crises a central issue for the dialogue.

The party said the dialogue should provide a platform for substantive discussions among all parties involved in the conflicts and for identifying ways to stop the violence. It also called for serious consideration of the country’s federal system, arguing that ethnic and clan-based federalism should be among the fundamental issues addressed.

Enat said the dialogue had instead raised concerns that decisions taken in advance could be presented for endorsement through the national consultation process. It said this risked weakening the legitimacy and acceptance of the dialogue.

The party also rejected what it described as attempts to make issues such as the constitutional status of the prime minister and president, Addis Ababa’s political status and the status of Dire Dawa the central focus of the process, arguing that these issues did not address the country’s fundamental challenges.

Enat said it would not sign agreements or endorse agenda items emerging from the dialogue that did not address what it considers core national issues. It called on the ruling party to refrain from pursuing political interests through the dialogue and urged participants to put national interests ahead of short-term political considerations.

The party also called on the public to follow the process closely to ensure that the dialogue does not become a vehicle for advancing the interests of a limited number of actors or contribute to renewed conflict.

Source: FSX Business News