Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly in its road infrastructure and the commercial buildings constructed by business owners. Although the city’s reconstruction efforts gained momentum following the political transition, Jigjiga’s overall appearance has also changed considerably following the implementation of the urban corridor development project.
The Somali regional administration frequently compares Jigjiga with cities in Somalia, a country that has endured decades of conflict and instability. However, critics and those with differing views of the regional administration argue that Jigjiga should instead be compared with the capitals of other regional states in Ethiopia, such as Adama, Bahir Dar, Harar and Mekelle. They argue that such comparisons would provide a clearer picture of how far Jigjiga lags behind these cities, as well as other urban centres of a similar standing.
Speaking to the media, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made remarks suggesting that Eritrea had experienced substantial setbacks in its development. In illustrating his point, he referred to Jigjiga, prompting mixed reactions and debate among Somalis on social media.
Abiy Ahmed stated: “Before independence, when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia, Eritrean cities were very beautiful. Today, however, they look like villages. If you look at Asmara, it is smaller than Jigjiga.”
