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PM Abiy Holds First Meeting with National Dialogue Commissioner

ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with members of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission for the first time today.

During the meeting on Monday afternoon, commissioner Mesfin Araya presented the four-month activities of the commission since its establishment in February 2022, according to the Office of the PM.

Prime Minister Abiy reiterated the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to the independent and inclusive dialogue process.

The Commission plans to start a discussion on some of the issues on the agenda in the first quarter of the upcoming Ethiopian fiscal year after completing the pre-preparatory works.

Its officials said the commission is entering the main preparation phase in order to hold dialogue in the second and third months of the next Ethiopian year.

“We hope that in the second and third months of next Ethiopian fiscal year, the National Dialogue Commission will begin to discuss some of the issues on the agenda,” Prof Mesfin Araya told state-run news agency ENA late last week

To date, the Commission met with government officials, chief administrators of regions, and leaders of religious institutions, political parties, as well as various segments of society.

“It has now completed the preparatory works and entered the preparation phase,” the Mesfin said, adding the commission will finalize the budget and strategic plan in the coming few days and submit them to HPR for approval. 

And then the selection of moderators and identifying participants will continue, said the commissioner, urging Ethiopians to overcome their problems through dialogue and pass on a good legacy to the next generation.  

Authorities established the National Dialogue Commission in a bid to resolve challenges in Ethiopia through dialogue and create national consensus. 

Featured Image Caption: Commissioner of Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Prof. Mesfin Araya during the meeting with PM Abiy Ahmed on Monday afternoon [Photo PM Office]