Uhuru hails Ethiopia’s rich civilisation, cultural heritage

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta praised Ethiopia's extensive history, varied culture, and traditional systems of governance during the closing ceremony of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa. The Kenyan leader, who has developed a close relationship with Ethiopia, remarked that his travels across the nation had enabled him to recognize the country's rich communities and customs, particularly the indigenous frameworks that have molded Ethiopian society.

Uhuru emphasized that Ethiopia is not merely a nation, but rather an ancient African civilization. He dedicated special attention to the Gadaa system of the Oromo people, highlighting it as a heritage deserving greater acknowledgment. The Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference convened approximately 4,000 delegates from various regions and sectors of society, spanning a period of about 40 days to deliberate on the most critical concerns confronting Ethiopia.

These issues were organized around eight primary national topics identified through nationwide public consultations, including state-building, identity and shared history; government structure, federalism and power-sharing; the status of federal cities such as Addis Ababa; religious and cultural affairs; institutional development, human rights, and the rule of law.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for Ethiopians to exchange perspectives, reconcile past divisions, and reach consensus on issues of national significance through peaceful political engagement.