Berghof Foundation: 50 years of conflict transformation

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