By ELIAS MESERET, Associated PressADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The Ethiopian government has begun demolishing thousands of houses they say are illegal in the Oromia region in the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa. Jawar Mohammed, a prominent activist in Ethiopia, said it is because the government has not provided adequate housing that people build what are called 'Moon Houses,' houses built illegally overnight in the moonlight. "It is irresponsible to demolish these houses now after sitting idle and watching when they were built. But Ethiopian officials said the houses were built when the government administration of the areas was weak because of the widespread protests and it was not able to stop them. "We are conducting various public housing projects that will benefit the poor.

Source: Ethiopian News February 23, 2019 12:00 UTC