November 20, 2024
Borkena
Toronto – The Addis Ababa City Administration announced on Tuesday that it has lifted the immunity of one of its council members due to allegations of corruption.
According to a statement from the City Administration, Seid Ali Kemal is accused of engaging in corrupt practices while serving as Lideta Sub-City Executive. The administration claimed that the suspect exploited the “corridor development” initiative to conspire with an unidentified businessman, diverting public resources for personal gain.
The corridor development project itself has been widely criticized. The decision-making process excluded consultations with residents and was implemented as a ruling party initiative, primarily associated with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The project displaced hundreds of thousands of Addis Ababa residents, uprooting them from land they had inhabited for generations.
The Mayor’s office did not specify the amount of resources or the exact circumstances under which the alleged corruption occurred.
“Based on evidence provided by the Ministry of Justice indicating his involvement in serious corruption crimes, the council’s Good Governance Standing Committee Chairperson, Ato Mulu Desalegne, presented the committee’s decision to the council,” the statement read.
No further details were provided regarding the allegations.
The motion to lift Seid Ali Kemal’s immunity was approved unanimously, according to the City Administration.
New Appointments
Meanwhile, the City Administration announced that the council has approved four new appointments proposed by Mayor Adanech Abiebie.
The appointments are as follows:
Engineer Wendimu Seta – Appointed as Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa and General Manager.
Mr. Tenkwei Jok Rom – Head of the Governmental Development Organizations Supervisory Authority.
Mr. Yimer Kebede Yimam – Commissioner of the Community Participation and Voluntary Coordination Commission.
Dr. Gizachew Ayka – Chairman of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Development and Municipal Affairs in Addis Ababa.
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