BY STAFF REPORTER
In a bold and unified move, approximately 50 Ethiopian political parties have issued a collective call urging the federal government to initiate negotiations with armed groups currently engaged in conflict across various regions of the country.
The statement, signed by a wide spectrum of opposition and independent political entities, appeals for political solutions over military confrontation, urging the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to prioritise national reconciliation and inclusive dialogue as the path forward.
“The continuation of armed conflict not only deepens human suffering but also weakens the integrity of the state,” the joint communiqué reads. “Dialogue remains the only sustainable route to restoring peace and national cohesion.”
The unnamed armed actors, widely understood to include regional insurgent groups, ethnic militias, and rebel forces operating in parts of Oromia, Amhara, and other areas, have posed persistent security challenges over the past several years. These conflicts have displaced hundreds of thousands, strained public services, and disrupted local governance.
The political parties contend that military solutions have failed to produce durable peace, instead escalating civilian hardship and deepening mistrust. Their statement called for the federal government to engage in unconditional talks with all domestic actors willing to pursue nonviolent solutions to political grievances.
“We are not calling for appeasement, but for a pragmatic and courageous commitment to peace,” said Amina Gebru, spokesperson for one of the signatory parties. “Political dialogue does not mean surrender, it means statecraft at its most responsible.”
Though the federal government has not officially responded, the call comes at a time when officials have hinted at openness to community-based peace initiatives and transitional justice mechanisms in conflict-affected areas.
The parties also proposed the formation of a National Peace and Dialogue Commission, comprising independent mediators, religious leaders, civil society actors, and respected elders, to facilitate any future negotiation process.
“We must move beyond fragmented efforts and establish a national platform where grievances are heard, justice is pursued, and peace is built collectively,” the statement added.
Observers note that this marks one of the largest joint appeals for dialogue issued by political parties since the onset of renewed violence in several regions. It signals growing pressure on the federal government from within Ethiopia’s own political class to reframe its approach to internal security.
The joint declaration emphasised that peaceful resolution is not only in the interest of stability but is also critical to the country’s economic recovery, infrastructure development, and foreign relations, all of which remain vulnerable to prolonged internal unrest.
“The future of Ethiopia cannot be dictated through the barrel of a gun, nor imposed from a single power centre. It must be built through dialogue, compromise, and national consensus,” the parties concluded.