The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council (EPPJC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a move to work together by setting aside barriers that separate them and focusing on the common grounds pertaining to national issues.
The two sides underscored that one of the issues that needs to be given due emphasis is National Dialogue Process and civil societies, as well as political parties, need to come together to address issues of peace building in the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, Henok Melesse, Executive Director of ECSOC, said that “even though civil societies and political parties have several issues that set them apart, it is important to closely work together for the common good of the nation as both sides also have various mutual areas.”
Chairperson of the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council Rahel Baffie, said “we must learn to live together as a nation. As civil society and political parties are key stakeholders in the national dialogue process, the decision to work together in this historic collaboration will be of great national benefit.”