Since early 2019, the
Ethiopian government under
Abiy Ahmed administration begun large-scale house demolition that deemed "illegal property" in Addis Ababa and the Oromia Region in the area of
Sebeta, Buraryu, Legetafo, Legedadi,
Sululta, Ermojo, and
Galan towns, with 12,000 houses destroyed by the government, which led to further unrest in the country. On 19 February 2019, bulldozers were raid into Legetafo area and demolished 3,000 homes, leading to thousands homelessness and ruin business activities. Mayor of Legetafo Legedadi Habiba Sirajs supported the demolition as a necessary steps corresponding to the 2017 master plan, which was part of urban strategies. According to the
Ethiopian Human Rights Council, houses in
Yeka and
Bole districts commonly demolished. Residents allege that they paid taxes and the demolition is "illegal to take advantage for Oromia government". Liliana Farha, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Adequate Housing, told her concern over the house demolition in Legetafo and Legedadi, stating "The rapporteur will be investigating this issue and reminds all actors involved that forced evictions constitute an egregious violation of the right to housing." Activist
Jawar Mohammed said that the government is irresponsible to demolish resident houses because they do not offer sufficient housing for them, after which the residents built "moon houses", a house illegally built overnight. The victims often targeted toward residents with low income economy. The
Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO) criticized the government action. Chief Executive Ombudsman of EIO,
Endale Haile spoke on Ahadu Radio that the government demolition campaign is indiscriminate regardless of people's conditions to have acquire homes. As of February 2023, about 80% houses would be wiped out according to information gathered by the city's administration. Churches and mosques have also been targeted. On 26 May 2023, Ethiopian Muslims protested near the
Grand Anwar Mosque to protest the government's decision to destroy 30 mosques in the newly established "
Sheger City", formerly
Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne. The
Addis Ababa Federal Police stormed the protesters, and in response the protesters threw stones, which killed two people. The
Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and the Oromia Region Islamic Affairs Council condemned the police action against the protesters. According to
Amhara Association of America, the Oromia authorities continued house demolition that belonged to ethnic
Amhara, started arbitrary arrests, and tortured prisoners between 9 January and 31 January 2023. In March 2024, the government under
Addis Ababa City Administration relaunched demolition in Piassa. Many historical sites has been razed, including cafés, shops, bar and restaurants and jewelries houses. From 2024, the
Addis Ababa City Corridor Project was launched to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity among the corridors. It was expected to be completed in 2025. ==See also==