Addis Ababa, January 12, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia is advancing the Medemer State philosophy to establish a shared grand national narrative aimed at uniting its citizens and guiding the country toward prosperity rooted in a shared identity.
Tesfaye Beljige, Government Chief Whip at the House of Peoples’ Representatives, underscored the nation’s commitment to fostering unity and shared national perspectives during a conference held in Jimma focused on shaping common national viewpoints.
Presenting a keynote paper titled “National Identity, Collective Memories, and State Legitimacy Ethiopia’s Experience and Current Directions,” Tesfaye outlined the strategic pillars the government has adopted to secure enduring stability.
In his address, Tesfaye reflected on the profound history of Ethiopia as an ancient cradle of civilization with a sophisticated heritage of statecraft.
He highlighted the pivotal international role the nation has played as a founding member of both the League of Nations and the African Union.
While celebrating the 1896 Victory of Adwa as a global symbol of liberty and praising the country’s rich tapestry of language and culture, he noted that the legitimacy of the state has faced persistent historical challenges.
He explained that the collective identity of Ethiopians was forged over centuries through the natural interactions of trade, faith, migration, and shared resilience in the face of natural disasters.
The Chief Whip emphasized that the task of building a stable and universally accepted nation-state remains a work in progress, requiring the active participation of every citizen.
He identified several critical bottlenecks that have historically hindered progress, including a regressive political culture, distorted historical narratives, and the failure to effectively leverage national resources.
To tackle long-standing challenges, the Ethiopian government is pursuing a clear roadmap grounded in the Medemer philosophy, championed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as a unified framework for nation-state building.
Tesfaye outlined several key initiatives underway to deliver sustainable solutions, including building national consensus, crafting a unifying narrative, and advancing a consensus-based democratic transition.
These efforts are aimed at ensuring economic sovereignty and holistic national prosperity, he revealed.
The conference was attended by high-ranking officials including Abraham Belay, Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, and Saada Abdurahman, Speaker of the Caffee Oromia, alongside various federal and regional leaders.