By Shanko Dache
Awassa’s historical roots, ethnic governance, administrative reforms, displacement of residents, public and private investment, and the prospects for equitable citizenship in Ethiopia:
1. Awassa: Historical Origins, Founding, and Evolution into a Regional Capital
The town of Awassa (imposed name: Hawassa) was established in 1960 during the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie I. Prior to its establishment, the area was mostly empty; however, the town was established by the government and has grown to become a vital urban, commercial and administrative center in southern Ethiopia.
As a new town, it has opened up a new era in the history of this region. Unlike many other older towns in Ethiopia, Awassa has been created as a planned urban town. This has attracted government staff, traders, entrepreneurs, workers and families from across Ethiopia.
Therefor its creation cannot be attributed to just one ethnic group. As the town has developed, people from many different backgrounds have contributed to its economic, social and institutional development. Over time Awassa has become a diverse urban town with many different communities from Ethiopia living, working, trading and building their future.
2. Awassa Becomes the Capital of Southern Ethiopia
Awassa has become an increasingly important center after the 1991 political changes. It became the center of the regional government during the transition period and then became the regional capital of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNPRS) formed in 1995. It has become one of the most important administrative centers in Ethiopia apart from Addis Ababa.
The regional government structures have grown. Many institutions including Universities, businesses, financial institutions and public services have been established. This has brought thousands of people from all over the country to settle there. This has made Awassa more of a multi-cultural city.
Awassa has been a significant urban center for many decades serving diverse communities throughout southern Ethiopia.
It has developed its own identity through its people, institutions, economy and urban history.
3. Ethnic Federalism and the Changing Political Identity of Awassa
Ethnic federalism was introduced which led to a shift in how politics were conducted within the country. Political power began to be tied to ethnicity. This inevitably impacted Awassa.
The political push for autonomy and recognition for the Sidama people must be acknowledged as they have historical, cultural and political aspirations. However, there was a big question over whether a city should be politically owned by one ethnic group due to the creation of ethnic regional governments.
Awassa was a very diverse city with people from different backgrounds. Some had family living there for generations whilst others had helped to develop the city.
This shouldn’t mean that the rights and identities of these people are sidelined.
There is a big difference between having autonomy within a region and owning a city to one ethnic group.
4. The Political Transformation Following the Removal of the TPLF
Ethiopia entered a new political era after removing the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from its political power at the federal level in 2018 and allowing the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO) government to take hold.
But instead of breaking away from Ethiopia’s ethnic political structure, the OPDO, who were heavily involved in the political change and integrated into the Prosperity Party, continued to operate within a similar system.
The so called ‘new’ government did little to tackle the divisiveness of ethnicity in politics and instead, continued to appease the ethnic political demands.
Ethnic political activists such as Jawar Mohammed became prominent individuals in promoting ethnic mobilization. As a result , demands for the creation of the Sidama regional state grew and were supported by the political leadership, ultimately leading to the 2019 referendum.
Although the Sidama people had valid claims of wanting self-government, their demand to become a state should not be seen as a claim to create an ethnically exclusive city over Awassa whilst ignoring the rights of those currently living there.
The referendum was simply asking if they wished to become a region and did not constitute reason for anyone to be displaced, communities destroyed, private investments ignored, or the rich multicultural history of the city erased.
The main issue with the new political leadership was their failure to distinguish between ethnic self-governance and the rights of all citizens.
5. The Establishment of Sidama Regional State and the Transfer of Awassa
In 2019 a referendum took place to determine whether the Sidama region should become its own regional state. The referendum had overwhelming majority votes in favor of creating the new regional state. In June 2020, the Sidama became the tenth regional state of Ethiopia and Awassa became its capital. This was a huge political move.
This decision created many questions regarding Awassa.
The fact that Awassa has transitioned from being the capital of a multiracial regional state to a racialized regional state does not mean that it now belongs to one racial group.
It is key to note that:
Just because the Sidama Regional State has been created, it does not mean they have the automatic right to administrate Awassa. The city was set up in 1960 as a modern city and has evolved into the capital of the SNNPR. It has served many different ethnicities and invested in the public and private sector for decades. Therefore, it would not be just to assume that because Awassa has been given to a newly formed ethnic regional state that it would now belong to them.
By giving Awassa to the Sidama Regional State to be administered solely by them, it creates questions about how fair and justified this decision really was. The Federal Government under Abiy Ahmed should have recognized that just because a new regional state has been created, this does not mean that Awassa has automatically had its political future decided.
Instead of letting Awassa be decided by political demands of ethnic groups, they should have gone through a transparent process to decide its future. They should have taken into consideration how it has developed throughout history, the diverse population, public assets and private investments. Awassa was not a property of one ethnicity and therefore should not have had its administrative future decided.
Awassa belongs to its citizens.
6. Abiy Ahmed’s and the Uncontrolled Transformation of Awassa
One of the most significant mistakes made by Abiy Ahmed has been the way he handled the political and administrative changes in Awassa.
Despite the city being historic, multi-cultural and serving as the capital of the SNNPR for many decades, the Federal Government didn’t put enough measures in place to protect everyone in the town.
With the government sending confusing political signals and not wanting to set any real boundaries this meant that the political demands of ethnic groups could be pushed forward.
Unfortunately this had a devastating effect on local people.
People were forced out of their homes, children couldn’t go to school, communities were disrupted and people’s lives and livelihoods were negatively impacted.
Many people have built up their lives in Awassa; they have homes, children who they have educated, businesses they have built, property and even invested their life savings.
The government had a duty to protect these citizens.
However, with recent changes there are many concerns that the rights of those who aren’t Sidama weren’t protected.
Regional autonomy should never be used as a reason to frighten people, force them out of their homes, discriminate against them and destroy their livelihoods.
No government should allow political players to have power without being accountable for their actions.
7. The Unresolved Question of Public and Private Investments
One of the most overlooked parts of Awassa’s political development is the massive investment undertaken in the city.
When Awassa was designated as the Capital city of the SNNPR in 1995 it became the administrative center of a large and diverse area consisting of many different ethnicities.
Billions of Birr has been invested into building government buildings, roads, schools, hospitals, Universities, Infrastructure, Government buildings and many other essential services.
Many citizens across Ethiopia have invested their own money into building residential properties, shops, hotels, Businesses and many other facilities.
This has been over many years due to the Capital city status given to Awassa which served the whole southern region.
However, when Sidama was established as its own Regional State in 2020 what happened to the public assets and investment made using the combined resources of the former SNNPR?
Was there an overall valuation?
Have the Government buildings, Infrastructure, Public buildings and other assets been independently valued?
Have the best interests of the other communities and areas who invested into making the former Capital been taken into consideration?
A responsible transition should have occurred where there was an open audit, independent valuation and legal arrangements established for the public assets and liabilities.
The value of the assets should have been correctly valued and fair arrangements made to reflect the best interests of the new regional administrations.
Private property should also be fully protected. Citizens shouldn’t be left vulnerable due to the change in regional boundaries and ethnicities.
Due to there not being an open declaration of how this has been dealt with there are many concerns regarding accountability, fairness and the protection of the public resources.
Just because a Regional Capital has been established it shouldn’t belong solely to the new Ethnic administration.
8. Sidamaization and the Disappearance of Historical Neighborhood Identities
Awassa has raised several concerns:
Residents of Awassa have expressed concerns over the introduction of ethnic names to the city. Existing areas with their own original names have been introduced with names such as Fura, Tulu, Hijetta, Dume, Gudumale, Teso, Chef, Deto Eda, Dada, Galo Aregesa and Sama Arjessa. This may cause issues as these areas will no longer have their own urban identity and instead be given an ethnic name.
Without proper consultation with the local community this can cause other communities to feel left out.
There are a large number of established areas within Awassa, including areas with names such as Wukro, Philadelphia, Tabor, Gebrel and Mishen. These names are very important to the history and urban identity of the city.
However, there have been reports of these names being removed.
The introduction of new areas with names that seem to be linked to ethnicity have raised concerns around how the urban development of Awassa will be going. Residents are worried that the city will lose its urban identity and instead become an ethnic administrative and geographical area. Without proper consultation with the public this could cause other communities to feel left out.
Why have these well-known areas been removed? Who approved this change? Have local residents been involved? Are there any legal aspects or administrative rules which allows this to happen?
Administrative and geographical names should be used for appropriate reasons relating to urban planning and development.
Changing historical names for names relating to a particular ethnic group can cause issues as it can cause the perception that these changes are being made to remove the shared history of the city.
You cannot just change the history and identity of a city to fit new political interests.
9. Oromoization, Property Ownership, and Economic Transformation
Another key concern is the changes in property ownership and economic inclusion within Awassa.
There are increasing concerns that members of the Oromo community are taking hold of residential and commercial property within the community. This could mean that other communities are being left out of the economic and administrative system.
Property ownership can be a very sensitive topic as it can affect the economic opportunities available to individuals, and can ultimately affect the social and demographic makeup of the city.
All Ethiopian citizens should have equal opportunities to buy property, open businesses, invest and get involved in economic development regardless of their ethnic background.
If certain ethnic groups are being given preferential treatment when buying property, gaining access to land or opening businesses then this would be a major issue. This should be looked into by checking land records, property purchases, decisions made by the municipality and documented cases.
It is not an issue that members of the Oromo community are allowed to buy property in Awassa, they have the same rights as all other Ethiopian citizens.
However, it is an issue if certain communities are being given preferential treatment or excluded due to political influence, administrative decisions or discriminatory policies.
No ethnic group should have preferential treatment economically or politically within a city that is owned by everyone.
10. The Human Cost: Displaced Residents and Destroyed Livelihoods
However, behind the political debate lies a real issue affecting people.
People living in Awassa for many years or decades had their lives disrupted. The social connections of residents, education of children, businesses and financial stability was all impacted by the political and administrative changes.
Children will have long-term effects on their education.
Property owners and business owners will also suffer from the disruption and uncertainty, losing years of hard work.
The government should have put in place an independent system to look into complaints, record cases of displacement and property damage and apply suitable solutions to any violations.
This issue shouldn’t be ignored simply because it is a result of political changes.
Regional self-determination should be balanced with individual rights.
Achieving political success shouldn’t come at the cost of suffering and exclusion of a community.
11. The Danger of Ethnic Ownership of Urban Centers
The issue being highlighted by this change in Awassa is a wider issue of Ethiopia and its ethnicity-based politics.
When administrative power becomes synonymous with ethnicity then it can be easy for the line between administration and ownership to become blurred.
This can create a situation whereby different citizens are treated differently due to their ethnicity, history or politics.
A modern city should not have one ethnic group owning more than another.
Whilst it is good to acknowledge history, it cannot be used as a reason to prevent other citizens from having their rights.
The Sidama people have a valid historic and cultural connection to the area however so do the Oromo community and wider Ethiopian communities. They have the right to live, work, invest and help develop Awassa.
This does not mean that they cannot have these rights.
The true danger comes in when ethnic political groups or government bodies try to claim sole ownership over the identity, administration, opportunities and history of the city.
12. Awassa as a Warning for Addis Ababa
The events in Awassa must be considered as a lesson. If ethnic political groups have the ability to claim that an already established multi-cultural town belongs solely to them then it can happen to Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa is a town in which everyone from every region and ethnicity within Ethiopia reside. It has developed due to government investment, private enterprise, migration, and the efforts of generations.
No ethnic group should have claimed that they ‘own’ the capital and should not use their political influence to decide who resides there, who can invest, and who can have economic and administrative rights.
The events in Awassa show that there are risks involved when ethnic political groups claim that they ‘own’ a certain area.
The future of Addis Ababa should not be decided by ethnic rivalry and political pressure. The rights, property, jobs and diverse culture of the residents should be protected by ensuring that everyone is an equal citizen.
This should therefore be seen as a key lesson for the whole country. Political changes with no accountability, constitutional protections and consideration for current communities can lead to long term damage to society and economy.
13. The Need to Protect Awassa’s Multicultural History
Awassa should not be reduced to a political history of one ethnic group
The city was built during the Imperial times, developed under various Ethiopian governments. Different people from all parts of the country have made important contributions to make it a significant administrative center.
It is thus important to protect its historical identity by:
Maintaining the original names of the areas and culture
Ensuring that any changes to its administration are done in accordance with the constitution and legal framework
Maintaining fair ownership of properties
Avoiding discrimination based on ethnicity when providing public employment and government services
Allowing the community to be involved in decision making regarding their areas
Making a clear account of public assets and protection of personal investments
Investigate any documented cases of evictions, threats and property issues.
Understanding that citizens should have equal rights to the law and not based on their ethnicity.
These should be carried out irrespective of which political party or ethnic group is in control of the city.
14. Awassa Belongs to Everyone: The Future of Ethiopian Citizenship
Overall, the issue at hand in Awassa is:
What kind of Ethiopian citizen do we want?
Is it possible to create a modern Ethiopian city that all ethnicities can share? Where all citizens have equal rights without having to prove that they belong to a certain ethnicity? And where they can have a sense of pride in their history without feeling excluded?
The Sidama people should feel proud of their culture and have legitimate political rights. The Oromo people should feel the same. All other communities in Ethiopia should not feel like outsiders.
Awassa should not belong to one ethnicity.
Awassa was created as a modern city under Emperor Haile Selassie. It has been developed into a large urban area by many Ethiopians of different backgrounds. It is now the capital of the SNNPR.
Its history will never be forgotten or altered to fit a certain political agenda of an ethnicity.
The issues around Sidamaization and Oromoization of Awassa (the idea that it has become an ethnic city) should be looked into. There should be clear evidence to show what is happening.
Creating the Sidama Regional State was a matter of self-determination for the region. However, it was also their duty to ensure the safety of the people living in Awassa, whilst also keeping the history, public resources and private investments safe.
We need cities in Ethiopia that are focused on equality, shared responsibility and respecting diversity. Not one that focuses on a rivalry between ethnicities.
Awassa belongs to all Ethiopians that live there. Its history should be kept, diversity respected and the future secured with equality.
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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