Loading and unloading activities in the capital will be met with a sweeping reform as the Peace & Security Administration Bureau under the Addis Abeba City Administration is set to introduce regulation.

Individuals from the capital's 'peace army' comprised of nearly half a million residents will join the movers' associations and are expected to partner closely with the security officers in their respective Weredas. The voluntary group was formed last year and added to the security apparatus following a regulation signed into operation by Mayor Adanech Abiebe in September.

Members of a movers association must be above 18 years old, and free of any substance abuse or criminal history. They need to provide proof of unemployment, abide by an internal regulation, carry a badge and wear uniforms during service hours according to the draft.

According to Solomon Mamo, director of the Planning, Budget Monitoring & Evaluation at the Bureau, the group's role in the capital has been instrumental. He expects an increased role in loading and unloading goods to bring a semblance of order.

"We are responding to the frustration of citizens," he told Fortune.

Solomon stressed that no one is required to use the services of these associations with options to refuse service if better options are available. He reasoned that the Bureau's involvement would bring better coordination in decreasing issues of contention due to the 'tried and tested' competence they have exhibited so far.

"There are already visible changes," he told Fortune.

As frustrations rose between urbanites and movers, the Bureau launched a citywide campaign in May against illegal associations of movers, managing to arrest 97 individuals across 44 associations. Currently, around 1,072 legal associations with over 6,000 members operate in the capital.

Residents expressed a welcoming sentiment on attempts to regulate a trend which had become a growing nuisance over the years.

Nahom Yayehyir recently moved into a single-bedroom flat around the Gerji area and was accosted by four young men while unloading items from a small pickup truck.

"They demanded a month's rent," he humorously told Fortune.

While he does not expect the introduction of the legal framework to stop contentions that may arise entirely, he finds the simple attempt of regulation to improve the bargaining power of residents.

The pending directive is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Justice. Officials suggest that setting prices would require more attention before the directive gets the green light.

Dagnachew Yismashewa, head of the Bureau in Wereda Five Yeka District confirmed that they have begun to disband associations without formal organisation and identification. He expects the recruitment of movers from the peace army to provide citizens with a channel towards the security apparatus, reducing the exaggeration of minor conflicts.