Berghof Foundation: 50 years of conflict transformation
This book provides an overview of the Berghof Foundation’s work and impact over the past 50 years and sheds light on the challenges ahead of peacebuilding.
This book provides an overview of the Berghof Foundation’s work and impact over the past 50 years and sheds light on the challenges ahead of peacebuilding.
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Supporting the<br />
Oromo-Amhara<br />
dialogue process<br />
Ethiopia<br />
2020<br />
Since the beginning <strong>of</strong> 2020, the <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
has supported the Oromo-Amhara Dialogue Process<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> its Ethiopian multitrack dialogue support<br />
project. The Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups are<br />
the largest in Ethiopia, together accounting for<br />
over 55 million people, more than the populations<br />
<strong>of</strong> countries such as Kenya, Spain or Colombia. In<br />
2018, a temporary political alliance between them<br />
within the former ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s<br />
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), led to<br />
the appointment <strong>of</strong> Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,<br />
who expedited an ambitious reform agenda.<br />
However, political competition, disputed land<br />
rights and historical grievances have strained the<br />
relationship between the two communities in the<br />
past. As the political space opened up due to the<br />
reforms, tensions between the Amhara and Oromo<br />
communities escalated, leading to outbreaks <strong>of</strong><br />
ethnically targeted violence.<br />
In November 2019, Oromo and Amhara<br />
students were killed at public universities due to<br />
their ethnicity. In response, the federal government<br />
initiated the Oromo-Amhara Dialogue Process –<br />
supported by the <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong> <strong>Foundation</strong> and its partner<br />
organisation, the Centre for Dialogue, Research<br />
and Cooperation (CDRC). Facilitated by a quartet <strong>of</strong><br />
Ethiopian mediators with Oromo and Amhara ethnic<br />
origins, the process aims to de-escalate tensions<br />
and foster unity and stability by addressing the root<br />
causes <strong>of</strong> violence between the communities. In<br />
order to achieve this, the project supports inclusive<br />
dialogue conferences with representatives from all<br />
sectors <strong>of</strong> society, as well as forums between the<br />
leaders <strong>of</strong> the various political parties.<br />
“<br />
The <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong> <strong>Foundation</strong><br />
supports the Amhara-Oromo<br />
dialogue, potentially a subprogramme<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Ethiopian<br />
National Dialogue, not only<br />
financially, but even more<br />
importantly by providing<br />
insights from other similar<br />
efforts. The effort is now on the<br />
verge <strong>of</strong> making an important<br />
breakthrough thanks to the<br />
support from the <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong><br />
<strong>Foundation</strong>. It has the potential<br />
to contribute to the overall<br />
National Dialogue.<br />
Leenco Lata<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> the mediation team facilitating<br />
the Oromo-Amhara Dialogue Process<br />
After months <strong>of</strong> negotiations, the political parties<br />
signed a historic interim agreement on 10 common<br />
positions on 23 September 2020 in Addis Ababa,<br />
Ethiopia. The positions include calling for an inclusive<br />
National Dialogue, building a democratic system,<br />
promoting peace and security, and organising<br />
projects that strengthen people-to-people relations.<br />
Subsequent dialogue conferences in Adama in<br />
October 2020 and in Bahir Dar in January 2021<br />
created space for broader discussion among<br />
all sectors <strong>of</strong> society on the interim agreement,<br />
particularly addressing the importance <strong>of</strong> democratic<br />
values and institutions and political transitions.<br />
These conferences expanded attendance to<br />
include representatives and political parties from<br />
other ethnic groups and regions due to the national<br />
relevance <strong>of</strong> the topics. The discussions were<br />
very well-received and participants requested<br />
other regions throughout Ethiopia to host future<br />
conferences and establish similar dialogue<br />
processes to address other inter-ethnic divides.<br />
The Oromo-Amhara Dialogue Process is only<br />
the beginning, and difficult and long-term issues have<br />
yet to be discussed. Based on the interim agreement<br />
reached, further rounds <strong>of</strong> stakeholder consultations<br />
will address the operationalisation <strong>of</strong> the common<br />
positions. Simultaneously, the Ethiopian mediators,<br />
with support from the <strong>Bergh<strong>of</strong></strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, will<br />
continue to deepen the dialogue among political<br />
parties with a view to facilitating common ground<br />
on outstanding issues concerning the relationship<br />
between the two largest subnational entities on the<br />
African continent.<br />
“<br />
Because we are just beginning<br />
to build a democratic system<br />
in Ethiopia, discussions like<br />
these are very important...<br />
[W]hen we come together and<br />
discuss our ideas with each<br />
other, that hatred will slowly be<br />
removed and we will gradually<br />
form closer ties. The political<br />
tension between parties and the<br />
hate that is being spread in the<br />
community are addressed by<br />
such discussions. This will be<br />
vital in creating a peaceful and<br />
stable political environment.<br />
Participant<br />
Adama Conference<br />
October 2020<br />
80<br />
81