Ethiopia: Over five mln USD to help displaced people embezzled

Hailemariam Desalegn

Over five mln USD that was allocated for the resettlement of people uprooted due to government projects was embezzled by officials and clan leaders.

Presenting a six-month report to the House of People’s Representatives, Hailemariam Desalegn, the prime minister, said the money has been stolen by officials at various levels and clan leaders of a regional state. The premier declined to name the regional state the money that allegedly  embezzled the money.

Although the premier indicated that an office has been formed to prevent further embezzlement of government funds, he did not say if those responsible for the looting were brought to justice.

Thousands of people who were uprooted in various regions to give way to so-called development projects have been accusing the government of not paying compensations or providing land to rebuild their homes.

At least five police officers were killed last year as residents fought back to prevent the demolition of their houses in the capital. The resident say the government did not provide alternative housing and compensation.