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Ethiopia: High Expectations
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Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)
27 May 2008
Posted to the web 27 May 2008
Addis Ababa
In a matter of days Addis Abebans will see entirely new faces in their city's municipal offices. A team of revolutionary democrats, led by the would be mayor, but currently Defense Minister, Kuma Demeksa, will take over from a supposed team of professionals who had formed the Caretaker Administration of the City.
Ever since EPRDF overthrew the Derg regime, Addis Abeba never had an administration that came through elections. This time around, with the Revolutionary Democrats allover the council seats, except for one, it seems that Addis will witness something new. But what do Addis Abebans have to say about both the outgoing and incoming administrations? Fortune has talked to a cross-section of the city's residents.
Endale Sheberu, 30, Barber from the Ferensay Legasion area
"I think the Caretaker Administration and its predecessors are similar in many aspects, but the Caretaker has been better in bureaucracy issues in kebele and government offices. It was, however less active in terms of dealing with the rising cost of living and managing the problems of the city."
"What I expect from the incoming administration is that measures should be taken to adjust the current price hikes in the city. Furthermore transportation related problems should be solved."
Gedion Tamrat, 20, College Student from Shola market area in Yeka District
"There is better development in the road construction. Public participation is also increasing. The city has become clean. I see women holding brooms and cleaning the streets. The security is also good. But the Caretaker Administration is unable to curb the price shoots."
"What I expect from the new administration is bringing better democracy. Issues about democracy should be given special attention. Furthermore, campaigns should continue to make the city clean."
Aynalem Takele, 35, Vegetable Vendor Living on the street in "Atkilt Tera" around Piazza
"I don't know I left my home two years ago. I really don't know anything about them. All I know is there is a problem of getting IDs. Kebele doesn't recognize us as the dwellers of the city. There is also a problem of housing."
I expect the new administration would stress that people like me should be treated equally in the Kebele. And the housing problems we face should be solved."
Abarahm Moshe, 30, College Instructor from Kolfe-Keranio area
"I expected nothing in the period of two years, except stabilization of the city.. What I see is in the Caretaker Administration is a lack of good governance. Good governance is the basis of everything."
"So, the first assignment for the incoming administration is bringing attitudinal change among the public towards the government. The other crucial thing is bringing transparency and good governance. If those are not done first then I don't think anything would change."
Amarech Degefu, 45, Saleswoman from Kotebe area
"There are changes in road construction and expanding routes that link the main line. But in my view, the latest demolition of illegal houses after the owners had invested a lot of money and most of the measures taken to penalize such wrong doers during the rainy season are gross cruelties."
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"I expect the new administration would take lessons from the previous administration. Illegal land grabbing should be prohibited before people invest on them. I hope the new administration avoids such problems."
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