Stakeholder Participation in Resettlement Decision-making in Ethiopia

Abstract

Between 2003 and 2005, the ElhiopiaJl governmem resettled over 180,000
househoLds i" more IhcJn 100 villages as a deve/opmem response 10 recurrem food
iJlsecllrily in the coulITry. Official Slaleme",s claim thaI Ihe resettlement is bmed
on principles and guidelines lilar ensure. among OIl1ers. volumarism, community
parlicipalion, and consultmion with host communilies. Based 011 studies carrie(l
out in II resettLement siles, this paper attempts to examine the application of the
resel1lement guidelines. particularly the nature of participalion of Ille STakeholders
and the partners in the decisiolHnaking process. In order to eSTablish the volidily
of official claims that the reseulement was purely voluntary, the meaning attached
TO the concept, its operational clarity, and the manner of resettlement have beell
scrutinized. Given Ihe inevi/abi/iry of developmem-illduced displacements in
Ethiopia ill the decades to come, the author urges Ihe /leed to develop an
appropriate reseulement policy framework with clear opera/iollaL guidelines and
procedures.