Local Agence France-Presse (AFP) Journalist:
"Good morning dear professor,
I’m doing an in-depth report for AFP on the conclusion of the Ethiopian national dialogue. I’m seeking your quick comment on the following recommendations apparently drawn from the dialogue.
1. One of the key recommendations (reliable participants told me) is for Ethiopia to shift to a kind of hybrid state system, combining an executive presidency with a parliamentary form of government such as that practised in South Africa, to support collective leadership and national unity. What is your take on this?
2. Another important recommendation is to implement a mixed-parallel proportional electoral system to help increase the number of representatives from various competing political parties and politicians. I’d appreciate your brief comment on the significance of this as well.
3. If you like, you can comment on the status of Finfinne/Addis Ababa, which remains almost intact, except for the recommendation to add Finfinne as the capital city of Oromia in the constitution.
Many thanks for your invaluable insights! I'd be grateful if you could send me your brief written response today."
Professor:
"My take is that the controlled National Dialogue is neither inclusive nor credible as it has excluded major political forces - especially the armed groups across the country. Furthermore, the design from beginning to end is consolidation of power rather than ensuring democratic transformation. Therefore, I expect very little interms of positive outcomes whatever the recommendations are as the ruling group, neither has a political will nor the capacity to implement any recommendations under the existing situation.
To me, the change of forms such as the introduction of mixed presidential system, proportional representation, etc. never, never, never change the substance of the existing 'electoral authoritarianism'. As to my judgment, sadly, the future fate of Ethiopia will be decided by the 'bullets, not the ballot boxes'. In a nutshell, it is a futile exercise that can not ensure the two greatest needs of the country: 'durable peace and stability and democratic governance'.
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August 21, 2026 66
