Crime in Addis Ababa

Crime in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is safer in comparison of other African cities. However, there are a number of crimes within the city including theft, scams, mugging, robbery and others. Rural-urban migration and unemployment has been preliminary factors affecting the city by elevating crime rate.

Headquarter of the Ethiopian Federal Police in Addis Ababa

Snatch theft such mobile purse snatching is common. According to Central Statistical Authority 2015 census, the total unemployment rate in Addis Ababa was 21.2% of which male accounting for 14.4% and females 28.6%.[1][2] This signifies more idleness of young people which lead them to commit crime.

Overview

Criminal activities in Addis Ababa is safer than to most African cities.[3][4] However, there was report of some minor crimes in the city. Scams, petty theft and mugging are the commonplace and there is smaller number of incidents such as sexual harassment of women and robbery. Criminal gangs are known to use distraction technique including begging or feigning illness. In addition, robberies are increasing in public site of Addis Ababa and especially prevalent at nighttime.[5][6]

Types of crime

Socioeconomic factors can influence people's lives and their behavior and subsequent youth unemployment leads to crime in Addis Ababa, with particular reference to Addis Ketema sub-city woreda 8.[7] According to the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission 2016 report, Addis Ababa is the second city in the Oromia Region in terms of frequency of criminal activity annually. In the same year, the Addis Ababa Police Commission reported that 47,890 crimes were registered ranges from property crimes of theft, snatch theft, robbery, fraud, and breach of trust were frequent crimes.[2][8]

Thus, the crime rate in Addis Ababa is fluctuating year by year; accordingly, about 69,301 crimes were happened in the year 2013, 56,242 in 2015 while 64,437 in 2017.[2]

Overall Crime Trends and Prevalence in Addis Ababa (2013–2017)
Year Sex Crime rate in number Aggregate
2013 Male 62,256 69,301
Female 7,045
2014 Male 57,572 64,092
Female 6,520
2015 Male 50,177 56,242
Female 6,065
2016 Male 52,890 59,372
Female 6,482
2017 Male 57,751 64,437
Female 6,686

Since 2013, the crime activity in Addis Ababa is increasing alarmingly daily. Mobile purse snatching, robbery, theft, mugging are some types of property crime which have been committing throughout Addis Ababa.[9] Snatch theft using motorcycle happens rapidly where criminals usually grabs bags and other items of the victims in fast-paced duration and without forethought of the victims.[2][10]

Unemployment

On other hands, unemployment is one of the most problems in the city. Besides, rural-urban migration also the basis factor to induce crime in Addis Ababa, especially without governmental policy. 2015 data showed that the percentage of unemployed person in Addis Ababa increased significantly with the urban average of 16.8%. Addis Ababa's total unemployment rate is 21.2% of which male accounting for 14.4% and females 28.6% according to Central Statistical Authority in 2015.[4][1]

In 2018, 264,580 or 20% of unemployed population found in Addis Ababa (CSA 2019).[2]

Total unemployed population and total unemployment rate of Addis Ababa aged 10- years and above by sex 2018
City Economically active population Unemployed population Unemployed rate
Addis Ababa Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
22,016,5 68 1,009, 200 1,007,368 406,628 42,048 264,580 20.2% 14.1% 26.3%

Terrorism reports

In May 2022, the Ethiopian government said 349 people were arrested in Addis Ababa ranging from planning terrorism to inciting violence.[11]

References
  1. "ADDIS ABABA - UN-Habitat" (PDF). 1 August 2022.
  2. Mesay, Tsegaye (1 August 2022). "The Nexus between Urban Property Crime and Unemployment in Addis Ababa: The Case of Addis Ketema Sub-City Wereda 8" (PDF).
  3. Nomads, World. "Is Ethiopia Safe? 6 Things to Know Before You Go". www.worldnomads.com. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  4. "Addis Ababa University College of Social Sciences" (PDF). 1 August 2022.
  5. "Safety and security - Ethiopia travel advice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  6. "Let´s discover if Ethiopia is safe for tourists - Visagov". www.visagov.com. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  7. "Crime Victimization and its Impact" (PDF). 1 August 2022.
  8. "International Statistics on Crime and Justice, UNODC" (PDF). 1 August 2022.
  9. "crime in addis ababa". freeunlock.org. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  10. Fortune, (Addis). "Crime on the Rise in Addis Abeba". Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  11. Account (2022-05-26). "Ethiopian gov't says 349 suspects arrested in Addis Ababa". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
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