By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has concluded the selection of representatives from regional states, city administrations, and federal institutions, clearing the way for the next decision-making phase involving 500-participant forums.
According to disclosures reported by Addis Maleda, the Commission confirmed that diverse community interest groups—including civic organizations, youth, women, educators, persons with disabilities, political parties, and religious institutions—have completed electing their respective delegates.
Across 12 regional states, two chartered city administrations, and federal institutions, consultation forums chose approximately 330 primary delegates. Under established quotas, each participating region elected 22 representatives drawn from nine designated social categories.
Commission officials emphasized that federal organizers acted strictly as facilitators during the voting process.
“We did not interfere with the voting process beyond providing advisory guidelines,” the Commission noted in an official statement, emphasizing that delegates were directly chosen by their respective community constituencies.
The delegate selection follows extensive preliminary consultations, including sessions engaging 250 participants across 16 locations to compile and refine core thematic proposals. Minutes and records detailing the consensus and dissent from these sessions were formally signed by participants to serve as foundational reference documentation for the upcoming plenary phase.
Moving into the next operational phase, the dialogue will convene 500 participants divided across eight specialized thematic groups. Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya acknowledged that while debates during this high-level phase may present administrative and ideological friction, divergence of opinion remains a natural element of the consultative process.
“We don’t expect it to be easy,” the Commission stated, stressing that progress will depend entirely on mutual compromise and a give-and-take approach among delegates.
Under the Commission’s procedural rules, proposals advanced from working sub-groups to the 500-participant level will undergo structured deliberations. To achieve formal approval, any proposed resolution must secure the required consensus threshold established for voting delegates.
The newly elected regional delegates are scheduled to receive comprehensive orientation briefings before joining the 250 strategic group delegates in presenting signed findings to the full 500-member assembly.
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So far it has not been discouraging with participants being civil in the discourse. I wish them continued constructive/productive dialogue which is actually a convention to me. Godspeed!!