Gondar, North Gondar

A peace-focused gathering under the title “Peace for all, all for peace” was held in Adirqay woreda, North Gondar zone, organizers from the Amhara regional branch of the Prosperity Party said in a report on the event.

The program — attended by senior regional officials and commanders from federal and regional defence forces — featured remarks from party and government figures who appealed for community cooperation to end recent violence and to safeguard reconstruction and social services, the report said. The Prosperity Party is the ruling national party in Ethiopia and maintains regional branches across the country.

Zerihun Fikru (Dr.), identified in the report as the political and capacity-building sector manager for the Amhara Prosperity Party branch, thanked local residents for working with government efforts to restore peace and emphasized that the community’s contribution was appreciated. He said government bodies have repeatedly called for peace and are making efforts toward that goal, according to the report.

Speakers at the event warned that fighting over the past two years has produced “a lot of human and material destruction” and urged care to prevent further damage. General Meles Mengiste, described in the report as a senior commander of the National Defence Force, called on communities to reject “outdated tactics” used by forces he said were leading parts of society toward instability.

The gathering also included appeals for public support of security forces. The report states community members expressed an expectation that civilians will back the military and regional peace units “who are struggling to maintain peace” and take an active role in keeping security.

Regional officials reiterated calls to restore social services and rebuild infrastructure damaged during the recent conflict. Participants said interruptions to education, health and other services have harmed local life and that problems should be addressed through dialogue to achieve sustainable peace and development. Religious leaders and elders at the event urged people with social influence to use their standing to promote long-term reconciliation and community care.

A deputy head of the Amhara region’s peace and security bureau was quoted in the report as saying the region must reinforce traditional practices of mutual care and respect in order to secure peace and prosperity. The report described the effort to push the region “into crisis” over the past two years as unacceptable.

The event highlighted competing priorities for local recovery: rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, restoring public services, and addressing security concerns. Organizers and speakers framed peace as necessary for development and for “brightening the future” of the country, while asking citizens and institutions to play complementary roles.