The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) concluded its major consultative assembly on August 22, 2026, marking the end of discussions that began on July 15 at the Convention Center in Addis Ababa. According to Deputy Commissioner Hirut Gebreselassie, over 4,000 participants deliberated on eight primary national agendas and submitted recommendations to the commission. The assembly was organized to gather input from diverse representatives on various political and social issues facing the country.
During the press briefing, the ENDC outlined that the discussions covered core subjects including nation-building, state structure, the status of federal cities, religious matters, peace, and institutional frameworks. Deputy Commissioner Hirut stated that participants reached common understandings on several issues, while other topics involved extended debates. The commission’s stated objective for the dialogue was to create a platform for different groups to discuss differences and identify shared approaches to national challenges, rather than to produce a “winner and loser” outcome.
The commission emphasized that the dialogue process itself—facilitating interaction among participants with varying viewpoints—was a primary goal of the assembly. Officials noted that the meetings allowed delegates to establish connections and exchange ideas regarding the country’s current situation. The ENDC characterized the atmosphere of the five-week sessions as one of listening and tolerance, stating that they closely monitored the proceedings to ensure respectful engagement among all attendees.
While the commission reported that broad consensus was achieved on the majority of the discussed items, specific details concerning some topics remain unspecified in the initial briefing. Notably, the ENDC did not release detailed information regarding the specific recommendations made concerning the legal and administrative status of Addis Ababa or the finer points of other contentious agenda items. The submitted recommendations are now with the commission for review.
The conclusion of this assembly represents a functional step in the ENDC’s mandate to compile nationwide perspectives. The commission is expected to process the recommendations submitted by the 4,000 participants to inform its subsequent reports and proposals to the government. The ENDC has indicated that the discussions held during this period are intended to serve as a baseline for addressing structural and political issues in Ethiopia.