By Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A member of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives has stated that all roads connecting the Benishangul-Gumuz region to the central parts of the country have been closed for the past six years.
Speaking during a parliamentary discussion on the Ministry of Urban Development and Infrastructure’s nine-month performance report yesterday, the MP noted that the two main routes linking Benishangul-Gumuz with the federal center are through Nekemte-Assosa and Gojjam-Chagni. The parliamentarian, whose name is not disclosed, emphasized that the continued closure of these roads for six years has caused significant hardship for the local population, according to a report by Sheger FM.
As a result of the road closures, the only means of transportation from the region to central Ethiopia is by air, the MP explained.
This situation has led to shortages of goods and medicine, and has particularly impacted vulnerable individuals who need to travel to Addis Ababa for various reasons, the representative added.
Responding to the inquiry during the parliamentary session, Engineer Mohammed Abdurrahman, Director General of the Ethiopian Roads Administration, acknowledged the issue. He stated that efforts are underway to resume construction on roads where progress has been stalled due to security concerns, adding that this includes the roads connecting Benishangul-Gumuz with the central parts of Ethiopia.
The closures have been associated with ongoing security challenges in the region, including incidents involving armed groups and disruptions to public infrastructure. Groups such as the Gumuz Liberation Front (GLF) have been reported to engage in clashes with federal and regional security forces, as well as incidents affecting civilians, road workers, and transportation routes. Efforts by the government to improve the security situation have faced difficulties due to the complex local dynamics and the widespread presence of small arms.
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