For generations in our country's political history, groups, individuals, certain political forces, and various narrow interest groups have kept Ethiopia away from genuine dialogue and civilized roundtable discussions to advance their own political ambitions and personal desires.
To impose their own agendas on the public, they crushed intellectual debate with the barrel of a gun, suppressed the voice of the people, and turned brother against brother, leaving our country deeply wounded. However, this era of darkness, conspiracy, and mutual destruction has officially come to an end today.
Pushing aside these oppressive and divisive forces, as well as the stubborn interests of individuals, Ethiopia has overcome all contradictions through the resilience and tireless efforts of her children, and today, officially begins its historic national dialogue.
This dialogue, which began today, is a bright dawn that will be written in bold golden letters in Ethiopia's centuries-old history—marking the opening of a new chapter and the dawn of a new national truth. On this morning, yesterday’s wall of hatred has crumbled, and tomorrow’s bridge of hope has begun to rise.
Today, Ethiopia publicly proclaims the power of truth, the unity of her children in dialogue, and the ultimate triumph of civilized debate.
When the children of Ethiopia consult one another, listen to one another, and cooperate in a true spirit of brotherhood, there is no limit to the miracles they can perform or the heights of civilization they can reach.
Just as our ancestors united and consulted to carve the magnificent obelisk of Axum from solid rock, craft the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela with wisdom, and establish great, proud civilizations across the southern, northern, eastern, and western parts of our country that amazed the world; so too will you, their children, open a new chapter of renaissance and prosperity through your historic decisions at this civilized roundtable.
Just as our ancestors carved a brilliant history in stone, the children of Ethiopia today will heal the fractures of the past and open a new chapter built on ideas and consensus.
Today’s consultations serve as a great generational bridge designed to heal our political fractures and establish a solid foundation for Ethiopian national consensus.
By transforming division into unity and resentment into forgiveness, an indestructible foundation stone is laid today to build a strong state—one that is unshakable, embraces all citizens equally, respects diversity, and is guided by the rule of law.
Marking the end of zero-sum politics and replacing the barrel of a gun with civilized roundtable discussions, this historic milestone—where a true democracy of cooperation and consensus is realized—will be remembered with great honor from generation to generation as the moment our centuries-old fractures were healed.
Ethiopia has won by embarking on dialogue!
