Ethiopia forced to stop expansion of capital city

The government of Ethiopia has stopped the expansion of Addis Ababa following demonstrations from the Oromo ethnic group.

The aim of the master plan is to add areas around Addis Ababa into the city’s developing economy.

Oromo farmers fear that the city’s master plan could displace their population. According to human rights groups at least 140 people have been killed by security forces during protests organised by the Oromo tribe.

The Ethiopian government has contested the death toll of human rights groups claiming the figures are overestimated.

The Oromo’s People’s Democratic Organisation(OPDO) said the decision was taken after three days of discussions in Adama town.

OPDO believes any issue on which common consensus is not reached with the public will not be implemented.

The plan was suppose to be jointly implemented by the Addis Ababa city authority and the Oromo ethnic group.

A report by human right watch condemned the recent arrest of Bekele Gerba, deputy chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress claiming the Ethiopian government was targeting prominent Oromo intellectuals who have an influence over the population.

Ethiopian authorities were urged to allow people to peacefully protest and ensure that farmers are protected from forced displacement without consultation and adequate compensation.

Oromo is a large ethnic group in Ethiopia and covers about 284,538 square kilometres.

According to statistics carried out in 2007, its population stands at over 27 million inhabitants.