Ethiopia dialogue backs executive presidency plan

A weeks-long national dialogue in Ethiopia has backed constitutional changes to merge the prime minister's office and the largely ceremonial presidency into a new executive presidency, a proposal critics say could strengthen Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's control.

The talks ended on August 22 after about 4,000 delegates discussed issues including ethnic divisions and ongoing insurgencies. Delegates overwhelmingly supported the executive presidency plan, which could be put before parliament when it reconvenes in October.

Abiy, 50, has led Ethiopia since 2018. His party won another landslide election victory in June, during what the item describes as a crackdown on opposition and media.

Supporters of the proposal say a new presidency would be more unifying because it would represent all ethnic groups. Tiglu Melese, secretary-general of parliament's upper house, said it would create "a more unified country" to face Ethiopia's challenges.

Critics say the dialogue excluded armed groups and was boycotted by key opposition parties. Political analyst Befekadu Hailu said the change would concentrate power in one person, while Merera Gudina, chairman of the Caucus of Opposition Parties, said the process could not deliver durable peace, stability or democratic governance.

The dialogue also recommended cutting funding to ethnic-based parties in favour of national parties. Ethiopia faces armed conflicts in Oromia and Amhara and fears of renewed conflict in Tigray after the 2020-2022 civil war.