
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) has raised concerns over the ongoing corridor development project in Addis Ababa, condemning the city’s administration for what it describes as human rights violations. The party issued a strongly worded statement today, warning that growing public frustration could lead to social unrest if the grievances of the city’s residents continue to be ignored.
The ambitious corridor development project, now in its second phase, aims to transform key areas of the capital by modernizing infrastructure and urban planning. The first phase began earlier this year, with the second phase, covering 132 kilometers and 2,817 hectares, launched at the end of August in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The project is set to affect eight areas of the city, with some neighborhoods facing demolition to make way for new developments.

Abebe Akalu, chairman of the Addis Ababa committee of the EPRP, expressed deep concerns about the way the city administration is handling the project. He claimed that the demolition of homes and businesses is being carried out hastily and without adequate consideration of the residents’ needs and rights. According to Abebe, many residents have been given short notice to vacate their homes, leading to widespread distress.
“Harassing residents and demanding that they vacate their homes within days is a violation of their rights and interests. Our party believes that these actions are inappropriate and amount to human rights violations,” Abebe said during a press briefing today. He emphasized that the current approach is unacceptable and has caused unnecessary hardship for many Addis Ababa residents, including the demolition of small and large businesses alike.
While the EPRP supports the idea of urban development, it insists that this growth should not come at the expense of the city’s residents. “The development of Addis Ababa, while maintaining its international status, is non-negotiable. However, it must be done in harmony with the rights and interests of the people,” the party stated. The EPRP warned that if the voices of the people are not heard, “public anger could lead to division and related issues that could affect the entire society.”
Abebe Akalu further criticized the city’s administration for failing to learn from the first phase of the corridor development, which he claimed had already caused significant disruptions. “In the first phase, at least there was some attempt to hold discussions with affected residents. But in this second phase, the situation is worsening,” he noted.
Addis Ababa’s mayor, Adanech Abebe, responded to the criticism last week, assuring the public that the city’s administration is committed to engaging with residents before moving forward with demolitions. She stressed that any decision to demolish or rebuild certain areas would only be made after thorough consultations with the public to build trust and ensure fairness.
In a previous statement, Mayor Adanech highlighted that the development of the corridor is crucial for the city’s long-term growth, aiming to enhance infrastructure and improve living standards. “We are committed to ensuring that this development benefits everyone, and we will work closely with the public to achieve this,” she said.
Despite these assurances, the EPRP remains skeptical, urging the city administration to address the grievances of residents more urgently. The party called for immediate corrective measures to prevent further evictions and demolitions, warning that continued negligence could fuel public unrest.
“If the current situation continues, the bitterness of the residents could turn into anger, which may lead to dangerous social divisions,” the EPRP warned in its statement.
As the second phase of the corridor development progresses, the tension between modernization efforts and the rights of Addis Ababa’s residents will likely remain a contentious issue. Whether the city can strike a balance between growth and respecting the livelihoods of its people will be key in determining the project’s long-term success.
For now, the residents of Addis Ababa and the city’s administration remain at a crossroads, with the potential for both great progress and deepening social challenges.
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