Bahir Dar, January 24, 2026 (Amhara Supreme Court)
The international conference organized by the Supreme Court of the Amhara Region, in collaboration with Bahir Dar University, focusing on the rule of law and Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism for sustainable peace and development, was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Honorable Ato Temesgen Tiruneh; The President of the Amhara Regional State, Honorable Ato Arega Kebede; and the President of the Supreme Court of the Amhara Region, Honorable Ato Alemante Agidew. The event was also attended by other high-ranking federal and regional officials, Ambassadors, international legal scholars, university academics, heads of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and other invited guests.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the international conference, the Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Ato Temesgen Tiruneh, said that the people of the Amhara Region have long practiced various forms of reconciliation and mediation. These systems, he explained, are fundamentally aimed at restoring social harmony through dialogue and fostering lasting peace.
According to Ato Temesgen Tiruneh, traditional justice systems rely on elders, religious leaders, and civil society figures, and include mechanisms for social consultation, grievance redress, and dispute resolution.
The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister further stated that traditional mediation systems provide socially acceptable solutions to a wide range of issues, from property disputes to more serious conflicts. These indigenous mediation practices, implemented in diverse ways across the country and the Amhara Region, have served as effective tools for delivering justice at low cost, within a short time, and with greater public acceptance.
He emphasized that, if their gaps are addressed and they are properly utilized, these traditional systems can significantly support formal justice institutions, which are currently under heavy pressure due to high case volumes. Moreover, such systems offer solutions that are more acceptable to communities and foster a sense of ownership.
The Honorable Ato Temesgen Tiruneh stressed the need to align traditional justice systems with modern concepts, support them through legal frameworks and modernize their practices. He added that achieving accessible, acceptable, and principled justice requires creating an environment in which formal and traditional justice systems coexist and advance together.
He also highlighted that the national legal framework enacted in recent years to govern mediation and conciliation has not only updated outdated and fragmented legal provisions but has also introduced a modern and comprehensive system. In this regard, he noted that the law establishing cultural courts in the Amhara Region represents a significant step toward granting legal and institutional recognition to cultural values.
The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister further explained that the court annexed mediation mechanisms established under the Courts Establishment Proclamation constitute another important milestone. He added that the service centers planned by the Supreme Court will contribute to more modern and efficient service delivery. Finally, the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister stated that the international forum would host in-depth discussions among international experts, academics, policymakers, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives. He emphasized that these discussions would contribute to strengthening action-oriented and problem-solving strategies. Urging participants to move beyond routine discussions and focus on practical, value-adding solutions to societal problems, he expressed his appreciation to the Supreme Court of the Amhara Region and Bahir Dar University for organizing the conference.
