Uhuru calls for global recognition of Ethiopia’s indigenous system of governance
The Fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for greater international recognition of Ethiopia’s Gadaa system, describing the traditional Oromo governance structure as a remarkable part of the country’s heritage. Kenyatta made the remarks on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when he attended the closing ceremony of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference at the Addis International Convention […]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the global community to acknowledge Ethiopia's Gadaa system, praising it as a notable component of the nation's heritage. The remarks were made on August 22, 2026, during the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference's closing ceremony in Addis Ababa. Kenyatta emphasized Ethiopia's cultural richness, diversity, and indigenous governance systems, advocating for increased international recognition for the Oromo Gadaa system.
The Gadaa system, a traditional governance structure for the Oromo people, governs political, economic, social, and religious matters, with mechanisms for conflict resolution, social cohesion, and women's rights protection. UNESCO inscribed the Gadaa system onto its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, recognizing it as an indigenous democratic socio-political system passed down through generations.
Organized into five classes, one serves as the ruling class, with leadership changing every eight years. Knowledge about the system is transmitted via families and schools. The conference, attended by various Ethiopian society representatives, aimed to discuss pressing issues, exchange perspectives, and seek consensus. Kenyatta's emphasis on the Gadaa system highlighted Ethiopia's indigenous governance traditions, contributing to a broader African perspective on dialogue and peaceful engagement.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
