Author: Fikir Getaneh Haile, PhD candidate, Department of Political Studies, Queen's University, Ontario

A spate of demolitions radically transformed one of the oldest parts of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in early 2024. The city is home to an estimated 4 million people. These demolitions were concentrated in the city’s historical Piassa neighbourhood – established over 100 years ago. Thousands of households were displaced in the span of a few weeks, some with as little as five days’ notice. The demolitions in Piassa drew international attention because of the destruction of numerous historical buildings. However, demolitions in Addis Ababa have become commonplace under Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s urban agenda. This agenda prioritises…