EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE SPARKS UNDERSTANDING, ENLIGHTENS COMMUNITIES

The saying, “where there is a will, there is a way”

Is true.

The residents of the districts of Shashammane, Arsi Negelle, Dodola, and Kofale have demonstrated this. They were prepared to gather around a dialogue table to find resolutions to some of the bloodiest intercommunal disputes in their communities in recent years, with the assistance of skilled dialogue facilitators. This was made possible via a series of community discussions that were carried out by three civil society consortia and coordinated by I4C, one of the CSOs sponsored by the French Development Agency-funded Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF). 

In recent years, armed confrontations between Muslims and Orthodox Christians driven by political motives have resulted in fatalities, population displacement, and property damage. Amid escalating mistrust amongst communities split along racial and religious lines, entering into a dialogue wasn't simple. Dialogue facilitators were selected from the each of the surrounding communities and received training from I4C. The facilitators had to arm themselves with the knowledge and abilities that foster dialogue and reassure all parties that it is safe for them to participate, dispute, and express their opinions.

Fortunately, the local populations' openness to participating in the dialogue process repressed any innate barriers and immediately sparked optimism that the dialogues could take place. From September 23 to October 28, 2023 a total of 533 community leaders participated in small group dialogue sessions throughout the four districts. The dialogue sessions helped the participants reflect on the issues and understand one another's viewpoints, but also to start to pinpoint the underlying causes of the conflict, such as a lack of/ poor communication within and between the communities, along with the wider political unrest in the nation.

“…These change stories brings forward the true power of effective dialogue to foster an environment in which ordinary people not only understand one another but also, together, bring forward some extraordinary ideas...”

During the dialogue sessions, one of the Kofale district's Abba Gadas (Gada Leaders or Community Elders), was overheard saying, "maaltu nu galcheetu waatti nu galcha," which translates to, "what got us in that got us in the worst." This was an attempt to imply that the issues underlying the conflict stem from a lack of sincere communication as well as people's gradual shift away from core beliefs in communal existence and toward individual lifestyles.  

During the sessions, participants discussed how to build and maintain long-lasting peace and social cohesiveness, through identifying both future areas of participation, but also the social scars they should deliberately leave behind. Participants in the dialogue sessions also identified a number of concerns that they agreed must be resolved in order to solve the challenges in a sustainable manner. These include, among other things, youth unemployment, the exacerbation of communal tensions via social media channels, and inadequate local governance systems. 

Several of these align with the recent evaluation and resolution by the regional government, which recognizes the need to fortify local frameworks at the Kebele and Woreda levels in order to guarantee safety and sound governance. Additionally, other prior analyses have sought to charge Facebook and other social media platforms with inciting violent conflicts in Ethiopia. One Arsi Negelle participant stated, "Social media has brought all evil to this country." 

Through the dialogue platforms, the communities also agreed that in order to work towards healing wounds, transforming conflicts, and establishing permanent peace, it will be important to rejuvenate traditional institutions, such as the Abbaa Gadaa, "Jaarsummaa," and "Haadha Siinqee."

“… the dialogue platforms helped to foster understanding between communities in conflict as well as identify potential areas of shared interest in the pursuit of social cohesion and enduring peace...”