FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joint Statement of Ethiopian American Diaspora Organizations and AEPAC on the Ethiopian Government’s Dialogue Commission
Philadelphia, PA – August 27, 2025 – A coalition of Ethiopian American diaspora organizations, in partnership with the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC), today issued a joint statement rejecting the legitimacy of the Ethiopian government’s Dialogue Commission and calling for a genuine, credible national dialogue that can deliver peace, reconciliation, and inclusive governance.
A Call for Genuine Dialogue
Ethiopia faces one of the most profound crises in its modern history. The undersigned organizations reaffirm that only a transparent, independent, and inclusive dialogue process can address the nation’s deep-rooted conflicts. The government’s Dialogue Commission, however, is viewed as an illegitimate and disingenuous mechanism designed to manage appearances rather than deliver solutions.
“True reconciliation cannot come from a process engineered to serve the interests of those responsible for Ethiopia’s instability,” said the coalition in its statement. “The Commission seeks to hoodwink both Ethiopians and the international community while excluding authentic voices from the table.” Background
Established by the House of Peoples’ Representatives in December 2021 and launched in February 2022, the Dialogue Commission was introduced as a vehicle for national healing. Over more than two years, it has convened multiple forums and consultations yet has failed to produce a single tangible outcome. Instead, it has become, according to civil society reports and international observers, a political instrument of the ruling party—advancing authoritarian objectives while sidelining opposition groups, civic leaders, and diaspora representatives.
Why the Dialogue Commission Lacks Legitimacy
• Government-Controlled – Created, staffed, and overseen entirely by the ruling party, lacking independence.
• Exclusionary – Major opposition parties, civil society actors, and diaspora voices systematically excluded.
• No Neutral Facilitation – Absent impartial domestic or international mediators.
• Failure on Conflict Resolution – No credible plan to address ongoing civil wars or the destabilizing ethnic federal system.
• Stage-Managed – Designed to simulate inclusivity while avoiding substantive reform.
• Loss of Public Trust – Widely perceived as biased and politically manipulated.
• Avoidance of Root Causes – Ignores core issues such as authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses.
• No Results – Since 2022, the Commission has delivered no measurable progress despite significant public and donor funds. Our Joint Position
• Dialogue, Not Deception – Ethiopia urgently requires an authentic, representative forum—not a stage-managed commission.
• Conditions for Real Dialogue – Any credible process must be independently facilitated, inclusive of all political and civic actors, and directly address the structural drivers of conflict.
• Appeal to the United States – We urge the U.S. government to withhold recognition of the current Commission and instead support initiatives that are credible, transparent, and accountable to the Ethiopian people.
Conclusion
As structured, the Ethiopian Dialogue Commission is neither credible nor capable of delivering peace or reconciliation. Evidence points to a manipulated process designed to preserve political dominance rather than empower Ethiopians to shape their future.
The Ethiopian American diaspora, united with AEPAC, stands ready to support and amplify credible initiatives that advance unity, justice, and lasting peace for Ethiopia.
Signatory Organizations:
• Amara Diaspora Global Forum
• American Afar Diaspora (AAD)
• American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC)
• Ethiopian American Civic Council (EACC)
• Ethiopian American Development Council (EADC)
• Ethiopian American Diplomacy Network (EADN)
• Ethiopian Solidarity Movement Council (ESM)
• etHUB • Geda Oromo Community (GOC)
• Global Amhara Coalition (GAC)
• Global Ethiopian Scholars Initiative (GESI)
• Harari Revival Movement (HRM)
• Horn of Africa Community
• Justice and Accountability in the Horn of Africa
• New York & New Jersey Tristate Hope for Ethiopia (H4E)
• Tigray Action Committee
• United Women of the Horn
Source: https://aepact.org/
