Rastafarians lament part of their gift land being taken off

BY ABERA WENDOSON

SHASHEMENE—Jas Meil is a Rastafarian living in the Shashemene along with fellow Rastas in a compound. She recently told the Ethiopian Press Agency(EPA) journalists that part of their land,which King Haile Sillasie granted to their predecessors as a gift, has been taken off by the town administration.

She also lodged a complaint that they could not get a citizenship ID, though they lived more than four decades in Shashemene.

“When Haile Silasie got back from exile he had given 500 hectares of land in Shashemene to the people of Jamaica or Rastafarians. But now this land is being taken away from us for different reasons. You see our land and our status go hand in hand!”she lamented.

She also complained the Rastafarian community is neither receiving an update of information on as to how their cases are proceeding nor getting a residence permit with a short period of time.

“I have lived in Ethiopia for fourteen years. This is my country and I have a legal right to be given citizenship. We participate in the building of Jamaica community schools to outreach town's children that don't afford education. We do many things. ”she added.

She told EPA reporters that unless Rasta community own a carter-plan,it is very difficult to protect their lands ensuring their ownership. She had approached the Ethiopian Emigration Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs several times in vain.

“We need the government to probe into the despicable situation we are in, approach us and alleviate the ailments besetting descendants of the African slaves honored by Haile Silassie. Sometimes I feel there might be something the government discussed with the local government but the local administration seems lax in imparting information. Earlier the government used to occasionally summon the Rastafarian community to appraise us new developments and updates,” she said.

EPA journalists had got the deputy mayor of the Shashemene town,Adem Bedhado with the complaints of Rastafarians. Regarding the claim that Rasta's land was taken away,he said,Shashemene is expanding from time to time.

Hence, the expansion of infrastructural facilities, as a matter of the town's master-plan, doesn't only obligate the devotion of Rastafarian's land for such purpose, but also require development- purpose-needed lands of citizens without a preferential treatment.

He didn't hide ,part of the Rasta's land has of course been included in what the administration demarcated as an Industrial Village.

“They used to have a wide farmland just like that of Ethiopian farmers. But government intends to take the land not because they are Rastas or Ethiopians but as per the infrastructural necessities,” Adem said.

He also added, “After all they are Ethiopians. Some are intermingled with Ethiopians and have given birth to children and adopted the culture. Besides, they are actively participating in all of our social as well as cultural activities both in Shashemene and beyond. So these citizens are crucial in building the image of the town. They also participate in the community-policing and help us in lots of fund raising efforts. Hence we could not ill-treat them or show them a cold shoulder”

“With regard to their claim of not getting citizenship,the deputy mayor said,the administration of the town has written a recognition letter to pertinent federal bodies recommending ' Rasta's deserve Ethiopian citizenship!' We have done our part. I believe the federal government would soon give response to the issue of citizenship,” he added.

He went on to say the Rastafarians' lack of carter plan for their lands,is not only harming them but it is also posing a setback to the town that fails to receive the necessary income.

For veracity reporters asked the deputy mayor regarding town residents' apprehension over Shashemene youths being drawn to a drug called 'Shisha' which some Rasta's are rumored to be using.

“Rastas are one of the emblems that Shashemene is known for. When some of them use the drug called Shisha they presume it is legal because they were known for using these drugs,”he responded

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“The fact that these people are using this drug however does not mean they are the only factors behind few youths going off the track. Besides all Rastafarians don't use this drug just like all of Ethiopians in Shashemene cannot be using this drug,”Adem Added.

“There are a number of Rastafarian who are ethical and who really care for the renaissance of this nation. Nonetheless we are fighting the trend!”Adem added.