Addis ababa: Former Nigerian President and African Union Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, has emphasized the historic significance of the Ethiopian national dialogue for both Ethiopia and the wider African continent. At the opening of the National Dialogue Conference today, Obasanjo expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his leadership, patriotism, and dedication to Ethiopia's future.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Obasanjo reflected on the historical and social parallels shared between Nigeria and Ethiopia, noting their similar paths in navigating national challenges. He underscored the importance of drawing lessons from history and cautioned that internal conflict yields no benefits and is more devastating than fighting an external adversary.
Obasanjo emphasized that nations must guard against the perils of civil strife, urging the public to protect the fabric of their unity. He lauded Ethiopia's ongoing peace-building initiatives and commended the National Dialogue Commission for its achievements and preparations to date.
He outlined that the primary strategic objectives of the dialogue are to forge a robust, unified society and rally all Ethiopians around a singular grand vision. The former President highlighted that positioning Ethiopia as a leading force in Africa and a beacon of opportunity on the global stage remains a vital strategic pillar of the dialogue.
Obasanjo expressed confidence that these aspirations are attainable, urging the assembly to remain focused on these strategic goals to achieve enduring success.