Federalism and the Impacts of Addis Ababa City Expansion on Farming communities: the case of Eekkaa Oromo, Yeka Abado
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis aims to examine the impact of Addis Ababa city expansion on the surrounding
farming community, with particular reference to the Ekkaa Oromo in the “Yeka Abado” area,
and thereby evaluate the mechanisms of handling these impacts in a federal setting of Ethiopia.
In doing so, the study has used mixed research approach. For gathering primary data, the study
employed, different instruments of data collection, including questionnaires, in-depth interviews
and focused group discussions (FGD) with members of purposely selected Eekkaa Oromo
farmers’ community at Yeka Abado. The study also used document analysis, from housing policy,
constitution of FDRE, regulations, and procedures pertinent to the research under discussion as
secondary data sources. The study found out that Yeka Abado condominium project is one of the
causes for displacing Eekka Oromo communities from their farm lands without providing the
chance of getting the condominium houses. Besides, the informal settlement is another cause for
rapid urban expansion in the city and loss of the farm land for the farmers. The study found out
that Eekkaa Oromo farmers at Yeka Abado are victims of negative impacts of the urbanization
process taking place in their locality. They have already lost their original way of life
particularly agricultural practices and these farmers are dispersed from their original habitat.
Consequently, the urbanization process, measured in terms of the impact of Yeka Abado
condominium housing project, has negatively impacted nearly all aspects of the farming
communities’ life ranging from socio-cultural, economic to politics. This study, therefore, argues
that impact of urban expansion and urbanization on the Eekkaa Oromo community contradicts
with the constitutional, cultural, economic, territorial and political rights set by federalism of
Ethiopia.