Addis Ababa has become a sensitive issue after many ownership claims have come forward. The issue first arose when the exponential growth of the city led to the displacement of many farmers and their families on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. In order to calm the then public anger, EPRDF drafted a proclamation that stated Oromia’s special interest based on the constitution. When the government’s strategy failed, it led to waves of protest that urged the current reform in Ethiopia.
When many assumed that the country was moving towards unity, radical ethnic-nationalist started ownership claims over Addis Ababa. The issue became problematic when activists started voicing violent ideologies in their propaganda. Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) followed the activists by giving a shocking radical statement concerning the capital, and many considered the house demolition as a power move towards Addis Ababa by ODP. The federal government hasn’t given any stand on about the claims publicly. Here, parliament members from ODP and ADP discuss the issue of Addis Ababa on Amhara Television.
