National Dialogue Seeks Collaborative Solutions
The recently concluded National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, which formally began on July 15, 2026, and wrapped up two weeks prior to September 2, 2026, aimed to chart a new course for political resolution in Ethiopia. Deputy Chief Commissioner Hiroute Guebre Sellassie articulated the core philosophy of the conference, stating unequivocally that "National dialogue is not about determining winners and losers." This declaration underscores a deliberate effort to move beyond the entrenched, often zero-sum, traditional approaches that have historically characterized the settlement of political questions in the nation.
A Four-Year Journey Towards Consensus
The dialogue process itself was a marathon, spanning four years marked by significant challenges and continuously evolving dynamics. Its conclusion, around August 19, 2026, signified the culmination of extensive deliberations designed to foster a method for resolving disagreements through consensus rather than conflict. The Commissioner's statement directly challenges the conventional understanding of political outcomes, particularly relevant in complex disputes like the ongoing debate over the status of Addis Ababa, where questions of 'ownership' often dominate the discourse.
Addis Ababa: A Focal Point of Disagreement
The dispute surrounding Addis Ababa, frequently framed as a fundamental question of "ownership," emerged as a critical test of the dialogue's guiding principles. This specific contention exemplifies the very traditional approach to settling political questions that the National Dialogue sought to transcend. The city's status, identity, and administration have long been subjects of intense debate among various stakeholders, reflecting deep-seated historical and political claims.
Oromia's Stance on Capital Status
A pivotal moment in these discussions occurred on August 22, when representatives from the Oromia region voiced strong objections to a proposal presented during the conference. This proposal sought to maintain Addis Ababa's designation as the capital of Ethiopia while simultaneously granting it self-administration. Oromia's representatives countered this, advocating for the constitutional recognition of Addis Ababa as the capital of Oromia. Their primary motivation was to establish a legal safeguard against the potential future displacement of Oromia's institutions, reflecting concerns over historical patterns of marginalization and a desire for secure regional representation within the federal structure.
Amhara Representatives Urge Wider Debate
Conversely, representatives from the Amhara regional state approached the issue from a different perspective. They argued for the necessity of a broader public discussion on the matter, suggesting that the current scope of deliberation was insufficient to address the complexities of Addis Ababa's status. Furthermore, the Amhara representatives expressed opposition to revisiting recommendations that they believed had already been thoroughly processed and addressed by the dialogue's working groups. This stance highlighted a concern for procedural integrity and the finality of previously reached agreements within the extensive four-year dialogue framework.
Redefining "Ownership" in Ethiopian Politics
The contrasting positions on Addis Ababa underscore the deep-rooted nature of the "ownership" question in Ethiopian politics. While traditional political frameworks often lead to zero-sum outcomes where one party's gain is another's loss, the National Dialogue, as articulated by Deputy Chief Commissioner Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, aimed to foster an environment where disagreements could be resolved without creating explicit winners and losers. This approach seeks to move beyond the binary framing of ownership, instead promoting a shared understanding and collaborative governance model for contested spaces like the capital city. The dialogue's efforts to redefine how political questions are settled represent a significant attempt to shift the paradigm, encouraging solutions that acknowledge multiple legitimate claims and foster inclusive outcomes rather than perpetuating cycles of contention.