Rural Land Tenure Administration and Use Debate

The Prosperity Party believes that constitutional amendments regarding land ownership should not be decided unilaterally by the party, but rather through the National Dialogue Commission with full public participation. They support the current legal framework that recognizes state, private, and communal land holdings.

• Constitutional amendments regarding land should be handled through the National Dialogue Commission with public consultation.

  [22:23] [23:03]

• The party supports the current legal framework recognizing state, private, and communal land holdings.

  [23:30]

The party has submitted constitutional amendment proposals to the Dialogue Commission. They argue that farmers should have the right to sell, exchange, and lease their land. They contend that displacement already occurs under the current system when the government takes land, whereas private ownership would allow farmers to sell at a fair price or invest elsewhere.

• Submitted constitutional amendment proposals regarding land to the National Dialogue Commission.

  [25:18]

• Farmers should have the legal right to sell, exchange, and lease their land.

  [25:30]

• Displacement already occurs under the current government-led development system.

  [25:49]

• Private ownership allows farmers to sell their land as an asset and engage in other businesses.

  [26:06]

ENUP advocates for private, communal, and state land ownership. They believe individuals should have the right to sell, exchange, lease, and inherit their land, arguing that the current system leaves farmers without true ownership and vulnerable to government confiscation.

• Land ownership should be divided into private, communal, and state.

  [27:23]

• Individuals should have the right to sell, exchange, lease, and bequeath their land.

  [27:35]

• The current system deprives farmers of true ownership and allows the government to confiscate land.

  [27:45]

Gogot advocates for a mixed land tenure system of private, communal, and state ownership, tailored to Ethiopia's context. They argue that exclusive state ownership has caused displacement and hindered agricultural investment, and they have submitted this proposal to the National Dialogue Commission.

• Advocates for a mixed land tenure system comprising private, communal, and state ownership.

  [28:58]

• Exclusive state ownership has led to displacement and land fragmentation, hindering agricultural productivity.

  [29:34]

• Submitted the proposal for a mixed land tenure system to the National Dialogue Commission.

  [30:08] [30:25]

• The lack of a land market means displaced farmers do not receive fair compensation based on market value.

  [30:58]

The party is addressing corruption through land registration, certification, and digitalization. They are linking land holdings to digital IDs, implementing a cadastre system, and taking legal action against corrupt officials and brokers.

• Focusing on land registration and certification to combat corrupt practices.

  [31:57]

• Implementing digitalization by linking land holdings to digital IDs and establishing a cadastre system.

  [32:10]

• Taking legal action and holding corrupt brokers and government officials accountable.

  [33:00] [33:39]

The root cause is the constitutional mandate that land belongs exclusively to the state and public, allowing the government to dictate terms and displace people. The solution is to grant private land ownership, allowing individuals to negotiate fair compensation.

• The root cause of land issues is the constitutional provision making land exclusive state and public property.

  [34:17]

• Private ownership would allow individuals to negotiate fair compensation with the government for development projects.

  [35:01]

• The solution is to establish private land ownership alongside state and communal land.

  [35:59]

The root cause is government ownership of land, which creates fear and insecurity among farmers who are forced to surrender their land for development without fair compensation. The solution is private ownership to ensure farmers' rights are respected.

• The root cause is government ownership, which allows the state to confiscate land at will.

  [36:34]

• Farmers live in fear of displacement and are forced to accept unfair compensation dictated by the government.

  [36:58]

• The solution is private ownership, ensuring farmers' rights are respected and they are consulted before land is taken for development.

  [38:15]

The problem is structural; land is used as a political tool rather than an economic asset. Exclusive state ownership prevents long-term investment. The solution requires constitutional reform to establish private, communal, and state ownership, and creating a unified land administration institution.

• The root cause is structural, with land being used as a political tool rather than an economic asset.

  [39:15]

• Exclusive state ownership creates insecurity, preventing farmers from making long-term investments.

  [39:59]

• Proposes constitutional reform to clearly define private, communal, and state land ownership.

  [40:27] [41:05]

• Calls for the establishment of a unified, structured land administration institution from the federal to the local level.

  [40:39]

The party believes constitutional issues regarding land should be resolved through the National Dialogue Commission. Currently, the law recognizes state, private, and communal holdings, and citizens of various ethnic backgrounds have the right to acquire and use land freely across the country.

• Constitutional issues regarding land should be resolved through the National Dialogue Commission to avoid political conflict.

  [41:50]

• The current law recognizes state, private, and communal holdings, granting rights to use, lease, and collateralize land.

  [42:21]

• Citizens of all ethnic backgrounds have the constitutional right to acquire and use land freely across different regions.

  [42:38]

Land is deeply tied to identity. Legal loopholes regarding regional and district borders are major causes of conflict. These border disputes, often tied to ethnic identity, must be resolved through clear legal frameworks that accommodate state, private, and communal land ownership.

• Land is deeply connected to identity, and legal loopholes regarding borders cause conflicts between regions and districts.

  [43:19]

• Border disputes tied to ethnic identity are a primary cause of conflict.

  [44:04]

• These issues should be resolved by establishing clear legal frameworks for state, private, and communal land based on research.

  [44:46]

Land is Ethiopia's greatest asset and has a strong connection to individuals, often leading to severe border disputes. The solution is to provide proper ownership certification to farmers. If land is privatized, selling it simply transfers ownership legally.

• Land is highly valued and deeply connected to individuals, leading to frequent and severe border disputes.

  [45:34]

• The solution is to implement a proper system for granting land ownership certification to farmers.

  [46:15]

• Under private ownership, selling land simply transfers the legal ownership certification to the buyer.

  [47:05]

Gogot believes land is tied to national belonging, not ethnic identity. Owning land gives a person a sense of full citizenship. Land is an economic tool, not a political one. They argue against distributing land based on ethnic groups, supporting private and communal holdings instead.

• Land ownership is tied to a sense of national belonging and citizenship, not ethnic identity.

  [47:44] [48:42]

• Land should be viewed as an economic tool (factor of production) rather than a political tool.

  [48:00]

• Opposes distributing land titles based on ethnic groups, advocating instead for private and communal holdings for shared use.

  [49:12]

The party plans to amend the constitution and other relevant laws to create a legal framework for selling and exchanging land. They argue that currently, it's not the land being sold but the property on it during government displacement. Legalizing land sales will give farmers the legal right to manage their property.

• Plans to amend the constitution and other laws to establish a legal framework for selling and exchanging land.

  [51:33] [52:04]

• Currently, farmers are only compensated for property (roof and walls) when displaced by the government, not the land itself.

  [51:50]

The party blames the current regime for displacing farmers and depriving them of ownership. If elected, ENUP will first ensure and certify land ownership for the farmers currently on the land, which will prevent forced displacement and allow them to utilize their land.

• The current regime is responsible for displacing farmers and denying them land ownership.

  [53:22] [54:03]

• If elected, the party will guarantee and certify land ownership for the farmers.

  [53:37] [54:21]

• Securing ownership will prevent forced displacement and allow farmers to utilize their land.

  [53:45]

The idea that selling land leads to poverty is a false narrative designed to prevent farmers from building wealth. Selling a portion of land can provide capital to modernize farming. Regarding youth, detailed policies and legal frameworks will be established to ensure family land transfers and youth land ownership rights.

• The claim that selling land leads to poverty is a narrative used to hinder farmers' economic growth.

  [56:23] [56:57]

• Selling some land allows farmers to raise capital to modernize and increase productivity on their remaining land.

  [56:40]

• Will implement detailed policies and legal frameworks to manage land transfers and ensure youth land ownership.

  [57:27]

The party believes land is a historic question that must be resolved through full public participation, not just by elites. They view land as tied to identity and values, not just an economic commodity. They have submitted their stance to the Dialogue Commission to ensure the public decides.

• Land ownership is a historic question that must be decided by the public, not just political elites.

  [59:25]

• The party views land not just as an economic commodity, but as deeply tied to the people's identity and values.

  [59:53]

• Submitted their stance to the National Dialogue Commission to ensure public consultation and avoid imposing policies.

  [1:00:08] [1:00:58]

To mitigate displacement, the party plans to expand agro-industry and manufacturing near farming communities. This will create alternative job opportunities and improve income sources, ensuring that farmers have sustainable livelihoods even if land dynamics change.

• Plans to expand agro-industry and manufacturing near farming communities to create job opportunities.

  [1:02:18] [1:03:16]

• Creating alternative employment and income sources will improve farmers' livelihoods and prevent poverty.

  [1:02:35] [1:02:53]

The law successfully expanded financial access for farmers. Banks are encouraged to lend based on the wealth generated on the land, not by selling the land itself. In practice, farmers have been responsible borrowers, repaying loans, meaning banks haven't faced significant risks.

• The proclamation has successfully expanded financial access and credit for farmers.

  [1:04:56]

• Banks lend based on the wealth and productivity generated on the land, rather than the ability to sell the land itself.

  [1:05:21]

• Farmers have proven to be responsible borrowers, repaying loans and minimizing risk for financial institutions.

  [1:05:54]

• The system balances economic empowerment for farmers with protecting them from losing their land.

  [1:06:18]

The party asserts that land acquisition for public development is done legally, with compensation and substitute land provided. In cities, development aims to improve substandard living conditions, and displaced individuals are compensated and relocated to better conditions according to the law.

• Land acquisition for public development is conducted legally, providing compensation and substitute land.

  [1:07:56] [1:08:19]

• The party has worked to organize farmers, protect their agricultural land, and ensure their benefits.

  [1:08:31]

• Urban development aims to upgrade substandard areas, and displaced residents are legally compensated and relocated to better living conditions.

  [1:08:51]

Wollo argues that Prosperity's policy of using land as collateral actually risks transferring land to banks if farmers default. Wollo believes allowing farmers to sell or exchange land gives them the opportunity to utilize their own assets to generate wealth and access other services.

• Prosperity's policy of using land as collateral risks farmers losing their land to banks if they cannot repay loans.

  [1:11:29]

• Allowing farmers to sell or exchange land empowers them to use their assets to generate wealth and access services.

  [1:12:00]

ENUP points out that the government is currently the one taking land from farmers at unfair prices. Whether the government or an individual buys it, the land should be sold in a way that protects the farmer's interests.

• Currently, the government is the one taking land from farmers at unfair, disproportionate prices.

  [1:12:24] [1:13:13]

• Regardless of who buys the land (government or individual), the transaction must protect the farmer's interests and provide fair value.

  [1:12:53]

Prosperity clarifies that while land ownership is historically tied to identity and federalism, land holding rights are not; any Ethiopian can acquire land anywhere regardless of ethnicity. They define 'land grabbing' as individuals illegally occupying land for personal gain without legal certification or contrary to land use plans.

• Land ownership is historically tied to identity and the federal system, but land holding rights are not restricted by ethnicity or religion.

  [1:14:05]

• Any Ethiopian citizen or investor has the constitutional right to acquire and use land anywhere in the country.

  [1:15:18]

• 'Land grabbing' is defined as the illegal occupation of land for personal economic gain without legal certification from authorized bodies.

  [1:15:42] [1:16:44]

• This includes illegal construction in cities and unauthorized use of rural land contrary to designated land use plans.

  [1:16:11]

Prosperity denies exaggerating, citing concrete agricultural achievements: increasing cultivated land from 13.8 to 20 million hectares, substituting $1 billion in wheat imports with domestic production, and achieving a 56% growth in agricultural GDP. They also highlight environmental successes like rehabilitating 33.6 million hectares.

• Increased total cultivated land from 13.8 million to 20 million hectares.

  [1:19:29]

• Successfully substituted over $1 billion in annual wheat imports with domestic production.

  [1:19:52]

• Achieved a 56% growth in agricultural GDP and a 47% increase in labor productivity.

  [1:20:15]

• Rehabilitated 33.6 million hectares of land through soil/water conservation and the Green Legacy initiative.

  [1:20:27]

The 15-year extension protects vulnerable groups by giving them more time to claim their inheritance rights. Regarding taxes, farmers pay a minimal land use fee and taxes on production, which is standard globally. The tax-to-GDP ratio is low, and farmers view paying taxes as a confirmation of their holding rights.

• Extending the statute of limitations to 15 years protects the inheritance rights of vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly, and the disabled.

  [1:24:07] [1:25:00]

• Farmers pay a minimal land use fee and standard taxes on production, which is necessary for national development.

  [1:25:29]

• Ethiopia's tax-to-GDP ratio is very low compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries.

  [1:25:46]

• Farmers view paying taxes as a confirmation of their land holding rights and a source of pride, not a burden.

  [1:26:03]