A view from behind the new African Union conference center off Gambia Street in downtown Addis Ababa. Below and to the right are blocks of hillside slums that are omnipresent across the CITY. It's one of the countless juxtapositions of power and poverty in the diplomatic capital of Africa.
The slums behind the AU are gradually being cleared—ie, bulldozers and forcible evictions—for green space and office construction. The urban renewal is happening all across Africa—the government in Lagos is "clearing slums in the name of climate change," reports Radio Netherlands Worldwide Africa.
Addis Ababa is an incredibly beautiful city .. but unfortunately Ethiopia is one of Africa's poorest nations. The hillsides, sewage drains and river are densely populated with favelas that are often "walled" behind public view.
Looks like an amazing trip! Keep safe and keep up the good work reporting!
Posted by: Mad Professah | 10 December 2011 at 10:20