In today’s Ethiopia where law and order became memories of the past, it is not uncommon to find illegally organized groups invading publicly and privately owned lands and to claim total entitlement to the properties without land ownership documents. Such illegal moves as seen in many cities around the country make their way first by erecting shacks and market stands made from scrap materials, such as plastic sheets, plywoods, sheet metals, and also improvising everything and anything found in the neighbourhoods. As time goes by, these unlawful outposts morph into over populated shanty towns with no facilities as running water, electricity, waste collection services introducing additional burden to the municipal services that already are overwhelmed. Such malicious acts have also been known during the previous administrations in many localities including the capital – Addis Ababa. However, the frequency of the illegal settlements increased very rapidly after the arrival of the 2018 reform policy that so far achieved nothing substantial but has only shifted the political power from one ethnic group to the other at the expense of the whole nation, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia.
The illegal and systematic expropriations of private properties is no where prevalent than it is inside Harar City in its scope and nature. In Harar, the well organized and perhaps clandestinely coordinated moves started first by expropriating farmlands and private homes including the buffer zones that were delineated off limit to any developmental undertakings as a condition set when UNESCO recognized the city in 2006 a world heritage site. It is unfortunate that these illegal acts were brought about under the watchful eyes and perhaps encouragement of some elements within the ranks of the government who always want Hararis to live in disadvantage and suppressed under the mercy of lawless people. The relentless assault on the freedom and basic human rights of Hararis that has reigned in the city since the onset of the reform policy, subsequently transgressed into its heinous level when a small sliver of people illegally occupied the Awe Abdal school yard intimidating citizens and school staffs. Such egregious acts are soon followed by demolishing the surrounding exterior walls and by cutting down every matured tree to make way to build more than fifty unauthorized homes over the school’s compound. This clearly accounts and attests to the existence of institutionalized impunity to certain class of citizens in the region.
Awe Abdal school complex is a cultural institute built by a consortium of Harari philanthropists, men and women, with a stated mission to teach religious education along side secular and vocational trainings. One of the purpose of the institute is to inculcate students to understand the relationship and differences between secular and religious concepts and to elevate their skills and expertise to lead a satisfying and successful life. This aspect, as envisioned by the founding groups was to put Harar as one of the primary urban Islamic education centre that brings the finest quality of education, both religious and secular to the students.
As things stand now, there is a clear and deliberate abuse of Harari rights directed not only towards their privately owned properties, but also onto collectively owned national heritage entities as well. These national treasures are an embodiment to the unique Harari culture and a testament to the invaluable contributions Hararis made in shaping what is called Ethiopia today.
We, members of the Harari Community of Ottawa are deeply saddened and dismayed by the inaction of the government to the plight of our people on these issues for a too long period of time. We condemn in every sense of the word the abuse of our rights and the right to live in peace and harmony on our ancestral land with those who call Harar a home. We also equally condemn all levels of government officials who choose to remain deaf and blind to the predicament of Hararis by denying them equal protections under the law.
Finally, we call upon all fair and thoughtful Ethiopians to join us in condemning the suppression of Harari culture, identity, and the indifference of all concerned civil administrators and law enforcement officials to the gross injustice Hararis have endured for years.
Executive Members
Harari Community of Ottawa