Addis Ababa is a favorite agenda selfish politicians – Kassahun Gofe, Ethiopian Urban Development Minister

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, is a chartered city that has been the home for people all over Ethiopia. Empress Taytu Betul gave the city its name meaning new flower and was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886. Addis Ababa is the hub of diverse economic activities, and this has made the city a target for political agendas. Claims over Addis Ababa is the latest agenda for politicians and has caused serious damages in social aspects. The Ethiopian federal capital located in the heart of the Oromia region has been in controversy for the past few years. The Oromo Ethnic group, the largest in the country, have been demanding for a special interest law regarding the city, which they call ‘Finfinee’. They recount a long history of atrocity which violently displaced them from their land i.e Finfinee and alienated from their culture. Ato Kassahun Gofe, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Urban Development and Construction, explains why politicians bring up the issue of Addis Ababa nowadays.