Peace, Security and National Safety Debate

Hibir Ethiopia plans to establish a security structure based on national consensus and reconciliation, free from political influence, and will review local militia structures to establish peace councils from the grassroots to the federal level.

• Establish a security structure based on national consensus and reconciliation.

  [18:58]

• Free police, intelligence, and defense institutions from political influence.

  [19:31]

• Review local militia structures and establish peace councils from the local to federal level.

  [19:54]

EDU advocates for a unified, well-equipped federal security structure to protect the country's borders, while regions should only have regular police and minor security forces without heavy armaments.

• Establish a unified federal security structure to protect the country's borders.

  [20:34] [21:12]

• Limit regional forces to regular police and minor security forces, without heavy armaments.

  [20:51]

Prosperity Party highlights its ongoing security sector reforms to make the national defense force multinational and modern, while limiting regional forces to regular police as per the constitution, and plans to strengthen these reforms.

• Continue security sector reforms to make the national defense force multinational and modern.

  [22:42] [23:10]

• Limit regional forces to regular police as permitted by the constitution, correcting unnecessary regional armaments.

  [22:51]

• Ensure federal security institutions have the capacity to protect the country while regions operate within their legal limits.

  [23:57]

OLF plans to reform the security and intelligence sector by democratizing the constitution and holding a political conference within its first year to correct the current federalism trajectory, ensuring security forces prioritize public interest and sovereignty.

• Reform the security and intelligence sector by democratizing the constitution.

  [25:00]

• Hold a political conference within the first year to correct the trajectory of federalism.

  [25:16]

• Ensure security forces prioritize public interest and sovereignty.

  [26:09]

Hibir Ethiopia states they are competing to offer policy alternatives, not just to win. They are preparing their members for a peaceful process based on the principle of give-and-take, and believe a strong legitimate government must be established regardless of who wins.

• Competing to offer policy alternatives and solutions, not just to win power.

  [27:09]

• Preparing members for a peaceful process based on the principle of give-and-take.

  [28:15]

• Support the establishment of a strong legitimate government, regardless of who wins.

  [28:37]

EDU emphasizes that their primary goal is peace and the supremacy of ideas. They are ready to accept defeat and congratulate the winner if the country is administered peacefully, and they are actively working with regional administrations to foster a peaceful democratic environment.

• Ready to accept defeat and congratulate the winner if they administer the country peacefully.

  [30:24]

• Actively working with regional administrations to create a peaceful and democratic environment.

  [31:04]

Prosperity Party states that as the ruling party, it has made extensive preparations to ensure the election's security. They are highly committed to a free and fair election, engaging in positive dialogue with competing parties, and are ready to hand over power peacefully if they lose.

• Made extensive preparations to ensure the security of the election across all polling stations.

  [32:01]

• Engaging in positive dialogue with competing parties to ensure a peaceful process.

  [32:45]

• Ready to hand over power peacefully if defeated, having built a system capable of handling a change in government.

  [33:22]

OLF considers this a special election after 30 years and is committed to making it peaceful, fair, and credible. They are working to create awareness among their members and supporters to accept the results and ensure a peaceful process.

• Committed to making the election peaceful, fair, free, and credible.

  [34:05]

• Creating awareness among members and supporters to ensure a peaceful process and accept the results.

  [34:44] [35:22]

Hibir Ethiopia believes the current ethnic-based federalism is the root cause of border disputes. They plan to implement a better federal system that considers geographic and economic factors, resolving disputes through community-based dialogue.

• The current ethnic-based federalism is the root cause of border disputes.

  [36:32]

• Implement a federal system that considers geographic and economic factors alongside language.

  [36:57]

• Resolve disputes through community-based dialogue based on the people's desires.

  [37:53]

EDU proposes resolving internal border disputes through public dialogue and decision-making rather than force, allowing the people to decide their administrative boundaries, while the House of Federation facilitates this process.

• Resolve internal border disputes through public dialogue and decision-making, not force.

  [39:06]

• The House of Federation should focus on advising the government and facilitating public dialogue to resolve these issues.

  [40:16]

Prosperity Party aims to resolve border disputes by implementing a genuine multinational federal system that respects both ethnic rights and Ethiopian unity. They focus on strengthening economic and social ties between border communities rather than just drawing hard borders.

• Implement a genuine multinational federal system that balances ethnic rights with Ethiopian unity.

  [41:28]

• Focus on strengthening economic, educational, and social ties between border communities.

  [41:53] [42:23]

OLF believes the root cause is the lack of self-determination and a distorted political system. They plan to resolve border disputes through a political dialogue and democratizing the constitution within a year.

• The root cause of the disputes is the lack of self-determination and a distorted political system.

  [44:20]

• Resolve disputes through political dialogue and democratizing the constitution within a year.

  [44:02] [44:29]

Hibir Ethiopia acknowledges that push factors exist, but firmly believes that armed struggle only breeds more war and suffering. They advocate for resolving all issues through peaceful dialogue and the supremacy of ideas at the negotiating table.

• Acknowledges that economic and political push factors exist that drive youth to armed struggle.

  [46:03]

• Armed struggle only breeds more war and suffering; the cycle must stop.

  [46:53]

• Advocates for resolving all issues through peaceful dialogue and the supremacy of ideas.

  [47:16]

EDU, drawing from its own history of armed struggle, states that war only brings exile, drought, and death. They completely reject armed struggle as a means of development and call on armed groups to return to peaceful dialogue.

• War only brings exile, drought, starvation, and death; it is not a path to development.

  [48:23] [49:43]

• Completely rejects armed struggle and advocates for dialogue and the supremacy of ideas.

  [49:15] [49:53]

• Calls on armed groups to return to the country for peaceful dialogue.

  [49:37] [49:58]

Prosperity Party states it has a firm stance against armed struggle, noting that the country has suffered from a cycle of war. While fulfilling its duty to enforce the law, the government has continuously called for and engaged in peace talks and negotiations with armed groups.

• Firm stance against armed struggle, recognizing the country's history of cyclical war.

  [51:02]

• While enforcing the law, the government continuously calls for and engages in peace talks with armed groups.

  [51:19] [51:39]

• Ready to negotiate with any group willing to resolve issues around the table.

  [52:25]

OLF clarifies that it returned to Ethiopia to pursue its goals peacefully and has a strategic difference with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which pursues armed struggle. OLF advocates for an all-inclusive national conference to resolve the country's political differences peacefully.

• OLF returned to Ethiopia to pursue its goals peacefully and has a strategic difference with armed groups like OLA.

  [53:06]

• Advocates for an all-inclusive national conference involving armed and unarmed groups to resolve political differences.

  [53:28] [53:59]

• Believes state power should only be seized through peaceful means by expanding the democratic space.

  [54:31]

EDU states they will prioritize peace through public dialogue and inclusivity. They value traditional institutions like the Gadaa system for conflict resolution and believe in empowering the community to resolve issues.

• Prioritize peace through inclusive public dialogue involving women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

  [56:35]

• Value traditional institutions like the Gadaa system for conflict resolution and crime prevention.

  [57:55]

Hibir Ethiopia emphasizes its commitment to national values, planning to establish peace and reconciliation councils that include traditional leaders like Abba Gadaas and religious figures to resolve conflicts.

• Establish national consensus and reconciliation councils that include traditional and religious leaders like Abba Gadaas and Sheikhs.

  [57:07]

• Respect all cultural traditions and prioritize traditional mediation for conflict resolution.

  [57:23]

Prosperity Party highlights that it has already given legal recognition to traditional conflict resolution systems in nine regions, resolving over 3.5 million cases. They also claim to have expanded the civic space by amending restrictive laws, allowing many civil society organizations to operate freely.

• Gave legal recognition to traditional conflict resolution systems in nine regions, resolving over 3.5 million cases.

  [58:51] [1:00:45]

• Expanded the civic space by amending restrictive laws, allowing civil society organizations to organize and operate freely.

  [59:58]

• Implementing an inclusive national dialogue process with broad public and political participation.

  [59:25]

OLF plans to hold an all-inclusive national peace conference within a year. They argue that currently, there are no truly independent civil society organizations due to political interference, and promise to ensure freedom of expression, assembly, and organization.

• Plan to hold an all-inclusive national peace conference within a year to resolve political differences.

  [1:01:18]

• Argue that currently, there are no truly independent civil society organizations due to political interference.

  [1:01:43] [1:02:33]

• Promise to ensure freedom of expression, assembly, and organization, allowing civil societies to play a key role in democracy.

  [1:01:51]

Hibir Ethiopia plans to establish national consensus and reconciliation councils from the local to the federal level, allowing the public to present their problems and finding solutions that could even include constitutional amendments.

• Establish national consensus and reconciliation councils from the local (kebele/woreda) to the federal level.

  [1:04:26]

• Allow the public to present their problems and find solutions, potentially up to constitutional amendments.

  [1:04:39]

Prosperity Party states it has already taken a strong stance on women's inclusion, such as making the cabinet 50% women. They emphasize that women's meaningful participation is a cardinal principle in their peace processes, national dialogue, and transitional justice efforts.

• Taken a strong stance on women's inclusion, including making the cabinet 50% women.

  [1:06:00]

• Women's meaningful participation is a cardinal principle in peace processes, national dialogue, and transitional justice.

  [1:07:24] [1:07:59]

• Ensure special participation for vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities, in conflict contexts.

  [1:07:37]

EDU explains that the spear and shield symbolize the historical defense of the country by their forefathers, such as at the Battle of Adwa, representing independence and resistance, not a desire for modern warfare.

• The spear and shield symbolize the historical defense and sacrifices of forefathers, like at the Battle of Adwa.

  [1:09:00] [1:09:57]

• The symbol represents defense, independence, and resistance, not a desire for modern warfare.

  [1:09:21] [1:09:48]

Prosperity Party claims it has made significant progress in building a shared national narrative that balances diversity and unity, though it is a long-term project. They acknowledge ongoing security issues in some areas but assert that the majority of the country is peaceful and the risk of disintegration has been averted.

• Made significant progress in building a shared national narrative that balances diversity and unity (multinational federalism).

  [1:11:01] [1:11:27]

• Acknowledge ongoing security issues in specific areas, but assert the majority of the country is peaceful.

  [1:12:16]

• Building a system to resolve demands through dialogue and the democratic space to achieve 100% peace.

  [1:12:40]

Prosperity Party states that protecting human rights and the rule of law is a core pillar. They have reformed security institutions to be free from political bias and amended laws to protect constitutional rights, though they admit it's an ongoing process to fully change the culture.

• Protecting human rights and the rule of law is a core pillar of the government and party.

  [1:13:45]

• Reformed security and intelligence institutions to serve the public rather than specific political groups.

  [1:14:01]

• Amended laws and procedures to ensure constitutional rights are implemented without compromise, though fully changing the culture takes time.

  [1:14:27] [1:14:51]

Hibir Ethiopia does not believe the country's problems can be solved with the current security structure, which they accuse of human rights violations. Their first task would be to free the police, intelligence, and defense forces from political dependence.

• The country's problems cannot be solved with the current security structure.

  [1:16:09]

• The first task is to free the police, intelligence, and defense forces from political dependence.

  [1:16:25]

Prosperity Party states that the vast majority of the country is peaceful, though problems exist in specific areas. They affirm that their doors remain open for peaceful negotiations with armed groups, emphasizing that peace requires willingness from both sides, not just the government.

• The vast majority of the country (12 regions and 2 city administrations) is peaceful, despite issues in specific areas.

  [1:17:19] [1:18:01]

• The door remains open for peaceful negotiations with armed groups; law enforcement does not end the possibility of dialogue.

  [1:18:11] [1:18:43]

• Peace requires willingness from armed groups to abandon force and engage in dialogue.

  [1:17:37]

Prosperity Party explains that their law enforcement operations aim to target only armed combatants while protecting civilians. They plan to continue prioritizing peace calls and community engagement before using force, and will exercise extreme caution to protect innocent lives when force is necessary.

• Law enforcement operations aim to target only armed combatants and protect civilians.

  [1:19:34]

• Prioritize peace calls and community-engaged peace efforts before resorting to force.

  [1:19:55]

• Exercise extreme caution to protect innocent lives when the use of force becomes mandatory.

  [1:20:34]

Prosperity Party argues they have reformed security institutions to be non-partisan and have prevented the country from disintegration by addressing root causes through initiatives like the National Dialogue. For the youth, they are creating jobs, beautifying cities, and expanding digital and educational opportunities to give them hope in their country.

• Reformed security institutions to be non-partisan and serve the public.

  [1:23:11]

• Prevented the country from disintegration by addressing root causes through initiatives like the National Dialogue.

  [1:23:37]

• Creating opportunities for youth in digital sectors, education, and urban development to prevent exile and give them hope.

  [1:25:04] [1:25:34]

OLF claims its 50-year struggle saved the Oromo identity from eradication, allowing Oromos to proudly speak their language and demand their rights, which also inspired other regions like Sidama. Regarding the armed group (OLA), OLF states it was formerly part of them but chose a different path; OLF has actively contributed to peace efforts, including bringing fighters back from Eritrea and facilitating agreements, though government mishandling pushed some back to the bush.

• The 50-year struggle saved the Oromo identity, allowing Oromos to proudly speak their language and demand rights.

  [1:26:41]

• OLF's struggle inspired other regions, like Sidama, to achieve self-administration.

  [1:28:07]

• The armed group (OLA) was formerly part of OLF but chose a different strategic path.

  [1:28:37]

• OLF contributed to peace by bringing fighters back from Eritrea and facilitating agreements, though government mishandling pushed some back.

  [1:29:07] [1:29:27]

Prosperity Party states that the constitution clearly gives the federal government the mandate to protect national borders. They have taken steps to correct the previous trend of heavily armed regional forces, ensuring regions only have regular police for daily security while strengthening the federal defense force.

• The constitution mandates the federal government to protect national borders and security.

  [1:31:16]

• Corrected the previous trend of heavily armed regional forces, limiting them to regular police for daily security.

  [1:31:33] [1:32:08]

• Strengthened the federal defense force in capacity and armament.

  [1:31:55]

Hibir Ethiopia argues that the current National Dialogue has flaws and obstacles, and they maintain their stance that a genuine National Consensus and Reconciliation Council is necessary to solve Ethiopia's complex historical and structural contradictions.

• The current National Dialogue process has flaws and obstacles.

  [1:34:47] [1:35:17]

• A genuine National Consensus and Reconciliation Council is necessary to solve Ethiopia's complex historical and structural contradictions.

  [1:35:37]

OLF states they have always advocated for political dialogue and believe a truly inclusive process is needed from the ground up. They assert their principles of self-determination are national and international, allowing them to work with others, and argue that the Oromo people's demand for self-determination remains unmet, citing disproportionate federal representation.

• Advocate for a truly inclusive political dialogue from the ground up, involving all stakeholders.

  [1:36:58]

• OLF's principles of self-determination are national and international, allowing them to work with other groups.

  [1:39:05]

• The Oromo people's demand for self-determination remains unmet, as evidenced by disproportionate representation in the federal parliament.

  [1:39:35] [1:39:59]

Prosperity Party distances itself from the EPRDF, stating they have a different ideology that balances ethnic rights with Ethiopian unity. They argue that the National Dialogue is addressing long-standing public demands that previous governments ignored, and assert that the country's peace is expanding year by year.

• Prosperity Party is fundamentally different from EPRDF, balancing ethnic rights with Ethiopian unity (multinational federalism).

  [1:43:05] [1:43:25]

• The National Dialogue Commission is addressing long-standing public demands for inclusive dialogue that previous governments ignored.

  [1:45:22] [1:45:51]

• The country's relative peace is expanding year by year, and efforts continue to achieve 100% peace.

  [1:47:09]