The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council (EPPJC) have today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a historic 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 need 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 peacebuilding 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.” For her part, the Chairperson of the Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council Dr. 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.”