Met with the President of AfriExim Bank, Dr. @GeorgeElombi and the esteemed Board of Directors of the Bank this evening. I appreciated the discussions on partnership, growth, and opportunities for Africa’s future.
It is with great pride that I join you today at the opening ceremony of this historic National Dialogue. This grand conference, which will bring together four thousand participants under one roof in the coming weeks, marks a historic opportunity for Ethiopia to obtain the “pen and parchment” with which to write a new chapter of its history by its own hand.
We are at a moment when we can break the cycle in Ethiopia’s political journey. A cycle that begins with inflammatory rhetoric and ends in violent action, and replace it with dialogue and discussion. I extend my sincere gratitude to the commissioners of the National Dialogue Commission for their invaluable contributions toward making this important undertaking possible.
This conference, which is founded on a bottom-up agenda-setting process involving hundreds of thousands of citizens, is a rare and remarkable event with immense significance in Ethiopia’s modern history. Through it, we have the opportunity to transform our challenges into opportunities and establish a lasting culture of peaceful transfers of power.
Today, we are planting good seeds that will benefit future generations, and we are ensuring that our children will enjoy the fruits they bear. As we participate in this dialogue, if we set aside our local interests and deliberate for the sake of Ethiopia, keeping our children and their future in mind, the outcome will be truly fruitful.
Together, let us cultivate hope, forgiveness, and peaceful coexistence. By resolving our differences through dialogue and reconciliation within our own country, let us safeguard Ethiopia from external interference. I call upon all participants to achieve a historic outcome; one that will benefit Ethiopia, serve as an example for Africa, and bring genuine peace and relief to all Ethiopians.
May Ethiopia forever prosper and be honored through the efforts of her children!
@AbiyAhmedAli A powerful call for unity, peace, and shared responsibility. May genuine dialogue and collective wisdom lead Ethiopia toward lasting harmony and prosperity.
At this critical moment in history, as Ethiopia prepares for its historic and momentous National Dialogue, I have an important and solemn appeal to all my fellow Ethiopians.
The beginning of tomorrow’s dialogue process is not merely an ordinary political forum. It is also the beginning of a new chapter in our history and one that will determine the destiny of both our generation and those to come, as well as our shared hopes for the future.
To all of you who are committed to securing lasting peace, stability, and comprehensive prosperity for our country, and who care deeply about Ethiopia’s greatness: the opportunity is here, and the time is now.
Just as our forefathers and foremothers fought at the Battle of Adwa with their blood and their lives for the freedom, sovereignty, and honor of our nation, today Ethiopia once again calls upon her sons and daughters who are ready to shoulder the responsibility entrusted to them by history. Yet in this moment, our country does not seek those who bear rifles. Rather, it seeks champions of peace and people equipped with maturity of thought, truth, knowledge, and steadfast determination.
Today, as in the past, we stand on the eve of the beginning of a great victory, because the triumph of Ethiopia and her peoples is inevitable. Through civilized discourse, peaceful dialogue, and national consensus, we will overcome all the challenges before us and, together, advance toward prosperity.
@AbiyAhmedAli A meaningful step toward unity and lasting peace. May dialogue, wisdom, and shared commitment continue to guide Ethiopia’s journey forward.
Today, on the eve of our historic National Dialogue, I received Ethiopia's dear friend H.E. Oluṣẹgun Ọbasanjọ in my office to discuss the upcoming National Dialogue and to draw on his wisdom from such journeys, where he shared with us his experience leading the Biafra Peace process. This experience offers a great lesson for Ethiopia’s journey toward ensuring unity and lasting peace through dialogue.
Ethiopia remains profoundly grateful for your invaluable contributions!