Adanech Abebe, the mayor of Addis Ababa, has been accused of using xenophobic language to target the Amhara community. During a city council meeting, Adanech reported on a “massive migration” from certain regions that posed a security threat to the city, claiming that these migrants were inciting violence and causing “anarchy and land grabbing”. When asked by council members which regions were being referred to, the commissioner of Addis Ababa Police Commission revealed that 64% of migrants were coming from the Amhara region. The head of the Peace and Security Administration Office also cited forces from the Amhara region as the primary threat to peace and tranquility in the city.
The recent announcement made by Addis Ababa city administration has caused concern among many Ethiopians, particularly those belonging to the Amhara community. The mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abebe, has accused some regions of Ethiopia of sending migrants to the city with the aim of creating unrest and overthrowing the government. The mayor’s statements have been perceived by many as xenophobic and targeting the Amhara community, which is one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
In response to the mayor’s statements, the Amhara National Movement (NAMA) issued a statement condemning the report and accusing the mayor of “dangerous, divisive and genocidal incitement.” The party has called on the government to take immediate action to address the issue and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Many Ethiopians have also taken to social media to express their concerns about the mayor’s statements, with some calling for her resignation. The Ethiopian government has been criticized in the past for its handling of ethnic tensions in the country, and the recent statements made by the mayor have only added fuel to the fire.
The issue of migration and its impact on the city has been a contentious issue in Ethiopia for some time. The city of Addis Ababa has seen a significant increase in population in recent years, with many people from rural areas moving to the city in search of better opportunities
[…] the mayor’s claim as unfounded and meant to inflame the animosity between Amhara and Oromo. An op-ED on Addisinsight lamented that it is nothing but xenophobic call. Furthermore, they call for her resignation […]