Land Law and Clearance of Informal Settlements in Sheger City, Ethiopia

Abstract

In developing countries, one-third of the urban population is living in informal settlements. Ethiopia is not an exception to this situation. In fact, major cities of Ethiopia are surrounded by informal settlements. Measure to tackle the challenges of squatting (informal settlements) are various and conflicting. In Particular, the recently established Sheger City (in the outskirts of Addis Ababa City) is demolishing of informal settlements. The paper investigates the causes and consequences of informal settlements and forced eviction in Ethiopia based on cases from Sheger City. To achieve this objective, analytical description , and quantitative and qualitative methods are used. The findings revealed flaws in the formal procedure of demolishing, and have caused a gross violation of human rights, massive displacement, and homelessness. In addition, the absence of comprehensive land policy, lack of multi strategies to mitigate informal settlements, restrictions on landholders' land use rights and land lease rights, absence of preventive measures against illegal land occupations and constructions, demolition and evictions as primary strategies to tackle the challenges, and corruption are factors identified in causes and consequences of informal settlements. Therefor, it is strongly suggested land policy reform, issuance of policy to manage informal settlements, respecting human rights and preventing illegal settlements.