The Addis Ababa City Council, during the 4th regular meeting of its 4th-year term, has formally approved a series of significant leadership appointments and structural reforms proposed by Mayor Adanech Abiebie. These decisions aim to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the city administration.
Among the key appointments ratified by the Council, Olyad Seyoum has been designated as the President of the Urban Land Expropriation and Appeals Tribunal. Additionally, Mekonnen Yayi was named the new Head of the Land Development and Management Bureau, and Abdulkadir Redwan was appointed as Head of the Addis Ababa City Finance Bureau, holding the notable rank of Deputy Mayor.
On its second day of deliberations, the Council also unanimously endorsed a draft amendment proclamation designed to redefine the powers and duties of various executive bodies. This comprehensive restructuring includes several pivotal changes:
These structural reforms mark a significant overhaul of several key city departments. The Culture, Arts, and Tourism Bureau will be dissolved, while the Addis Ababa Trust Fund, previously under the Mayor's Office, will be abolished.
In a move to bolster the sector, tourism will become an independent entity, establishing a dedicated Tourism Commission directly accountable to the Mayor's Office. Furthermore, the Addis Ababa Design and Construction Bureau is set to merge with the Large Projects Office, and the Social Trust Fund Office will integrate with the Community Participation and Volunteer Coordination Commission.
The Council also fully approved a partial transfer of responsibilities from the City Beautification and Green Development Bureau to the Water and Sewerage Authority, signaling a clearer division of urban management duties.
These significant organizational shifts are expected to streamline operations and foster more focused governance across critical sectors of Addis Ababa's urban development and public services.