Ethiopian Council of Ministers approved a legislation to grant Oromia Regional State special privileges in Addis Ababa

Tigrai Online, June 27, 2017

The Ethiopian Council of Ministers today approved a preliminary legislation to grant Oromia Regional State special privileges in the city of Addis Ababa.

The draft legislation will have to be approved by the Ethiopian House of Peoples Representatives before it becomes a law of the land.

The Amharic version of the statement published on Fana Broadcasting website stated that the House Peoples Representatives will observe the provisions of Article 49 Sub-Article 5 of the Constitution when considering the matter.

The draft bill will potentially instruct the city of Addis Ababa to provide elementary schools for Oromia State residents whose first language is Afan Oromo and who wish their children to learn in their first language.

Since Addis Ababa is also the capital of Oromia Regional State, all health services in the city should consider the state’s population around the city. In addition to Amharic Afan Oromo would be a working language of the city of Addis Ababa.

Old land marks, squares, streets, settlements, and so forth, which reflect the Oromo people will be referred by their old or former names to maintain the Oromo people’s culture and heritage in the city.

The city administration would institute the design and development of cultural and historical centers, theater, art and entertainment centers that reflect and introduce the Oromo People culture and history.

The names "Finfine" and "Addis Ababa" will be recognized legally as the name of the city.

These are some of the points approved by the Ethiopian Council of Ministers on the draft legislation. Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia with the population of about five million people, it is also the capital of Oromia Regional State. 

Source: Fana Broadcasting Amharic