Rural Land Rights and Limitations in Ethiopia: The Study of Amhara Region

Abstract

According to Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia/ FDRE constitution, land is a common property of the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia and shall not be subject, to sale or to other means of exchange. Thus, the peasants have the right to obtain land without payment and the protection against eviction from their possession. The peasants are permitted by the holding right, which include the lifetime use of rural land. But, there are a number of restrictions and prohibitions imposed on peasants holding right by the law. These restrictions include inadequate duration of rights, prohibitions imposed on transfer of holding right and absence of adequate compensation during expropriation. Because of these restrictions, peasants are prohibited to do things, whatever they want in their farmland. In doing so, by using primary and secondary data, this article explores the extent of land rights and limitations of peasants’ and providing some amendments of constitutional law on peasants holding right generally in Ethiopia, particularly in Amhara region.

Keywords: - Land Right; Land Tenure; Tenure Security; Expropriation; Compensation; Constitution and Ethiopia.

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-3-03

Publication date:March 31^st 2021