In 2011, Addis Ababa and the Oromia Special Zone established a joint project on common urban development issues, led by Kuma Demeksa.
The plan to expand the capital was done to accommodate the increasing demand for residential and commercial properties, because of a growing middle-class in Ethiopia.
[1][5] By April 2014, the government was prepared to implement the Master Plan (which would seize surrounding town without consulting affected communities).
[7] More widespread strikes and street protests resumed on 12 November 2015; largely led by students in Ginchi (located 80 km southwest of Addis Ababa and encircled by the Oromia region).
[11] On 12 January 2016, after two months of protests, the Oromo Democratic Party said that the plan was “fully terminated” after extensive meetings with government officials who rejected it.