In a meeting held on the issues of land, development and good governance
with senior officials of the Abraha Jira Woreda and residents in the Western
Armachiho area of Gonder, North Western Ethiopia the residents were heard
voicing their complaints and anger against the local administrators.
They said that the officials of the Woreda get many innocent people killed
due to their own internal tiffs and have been accumulating wealth. They said
all the officials at levels have now stopped caring and working for their
country.
The residents also explained the deep rooted nepotism in the districts. One
of the participants of the meeting said the main reason that the people hate
the ruling Front, EPRDF is that it has leaders that lack the skills and are
also people who believe in getting people convicted, arrested and killed.
The residents have also stated that the lands of the town are being given
away to investors through corrupt methods. Similarly, although there is a
large arable land in the area, the local officials ignore the over 400
people suffering due to lack of land to farm as a result of which some
people had to turn to violence to the extent of hitting the vehicle of the
Woreda administrator.
The official of the Woreda admitted the problems and complaints raised were
true and alleged that the main cause was "the act of rent seeking officials
of the Woreda." The residents say although the officials admit the problems,
no measure has been taken so far.