Commission Announces Agenda Gathering Phase to Begin Next Week in 3 Regions

Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) has announced that the agenda gathering phase will be carried out in three regions and city administration in the upcoming week. The commission revealed today that the agenda gathering process will be conducted in Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz and Harari regions as well as Dire Dawa city administration. In his press briefing, National Dialogue Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya said the commission has already finalized the process of identifying participants in ten regions and two city administrations. The commission is also anticipated to complete the agenda gathering process in the remaining regions before 5th September 2024. According to the Chief Commissioner, over the past two and half years, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has carried out tremendous preparation activities in various phases to conduct a nationwide consultation with a view to addressing Ethiopia's multiple political challenges. He recalled that the process of agenda gathering in Addis Ababa was held successfully in the presence of participants drawn from 119 Woredas and over 2000 participants including various stakeholders. Following the launch of the national dialogue in the capital last May 2024, top agendas on the table have been identified and refined. "We learned a lot from the Addis Ababa agenda gathering process," he said, adding that this lesson will be implemented during agenda gathering in the regions.' The agenda gathering process is continued where all segments of the society give their willingness for discussion on the agenda, Mesfin pointed out. Noting that various activities have been carried out to ensure participation of all stakeholders, the commissioner indicated that similar activities will be intensified in other parts of the country. The process of participant identification was held in some parts of Amhara region and the process is expected to continue in Tigray region, it was learned. Source: Ethiopian News Agency