Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Moves Addis Ababa Proposals to Harmonisation Stage

Ethiopia’s National Dialogue process has moved recommendations on Addis Ababa and other major national questions to a final harmonisation stage after the commission said participants reached consensus across all eight agenda areas.

The commission said a 15-member team will review, reconcile and consolidate proposals produced by eight thematic groups. The deliberations involved about 4,000 participants in Addis Ababa, following consultations that the commission says reached more than 200,000 people over four years.

The federal-cities discussions covered Addis Ababa’s legal status, its relationship with Oromia Regional State, municipal ownership, budget arrangements, policing, courts, boundaries, working language and cultural representation. Dire Dawa’s future administrative status was also considered.

The Reporter Ethiopia said people familiar with the talks described broad agreement on several points, while warning that the precise final formulation remains under review. Reported proposals included strengthening Addis Ababa’s city police, establishing a city supreme court and considering whether additional cities should receive federal status.

The commission cautioned media outlets and online commentators against circulating unverified claims while the final recommendations are being refined. The harmonisation step is therefore significant, but it does not itself amount to a constitutional amendment or a binding government decision.

Addis Ababa is constitutionally recognised as Ethiopia’s federal capital and has self-government. Questions about its relationship with Oromia, and about the legal position of Ethiopia’s federal cities, have remained prominent in the country’s political and constitutional debate.