Ethiopia’s National Dialogue to Address State Structure, Identity and Peace Issues

June 25, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia’s upcoming national dialogue will consider questions around the country’s political system, federal arrangement, identity and conflict resolution after the National Dialogue Commission identified eight priority areas for discussion.

The agenda items were announced by the National Dialogue Commission on Wednesday, according to Ahadu Radio, which reported that the issues were developed from consultations conducted across Ethiopia’s regional states and two city administrations.

Professor Mesfin Araya, a commissioner at the National Dialogue Commission, said the agenda items reflect public concerns, grievances, expectations and aspirations collected during the consultation process.

A major area of discussion will focus on state structure and political governance. The agenda includes the organisation of government, political representation, governance systems, self-determination rights, interpretations of nations and nationalities, and the division of authority between federal and regional governments.

The dialogue will also examine nation-building issues, including historical narratives, identity, shared national values and the management of diversity. The commission said these discussions are intended to address questions around building a common national framework.

The status and administration of Ethiopia’s federal cities, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, will be discussed separately. The agenda covers Addis Ababa’s legal status, its relationship with Oromia, its role as the federal capital, boundary matters, place names and the city’s working language.

Religious issues, institutional development, rule of law and human rights have also been included among the priority areas. The commission said the discussions will cover religious balance, protection of minority faith groups, constitutional rights, displaced people’s rights and human rights protection during conflict.

Economic and social matters will form another part of the dialogue, including land ownership and tenure, the concerns of farmers and pastoral communities, women’s issues, representation and inclusive governance.

The commission has also included corruption and governance reform as a separate agenda item, focusing on anti-corruption mechanisms, public administration and improving public services.

Peacebuilding will be among the central themes of the process, with discussions expected to cover causes of conflict, conflict resolution approaches, reconciliation, traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, ceasefire agreements and transitional justice.

Professor Mesfin said the eight broad agendas contain detailed sub-topics that will guide discussions during the national dialogue. The process, which has been under preparation for four years, is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2026.

Source: FSX Business News