Thread on #politics and #religion in #Ethiopia 1/14: The country is bracing for a new, nationwide, protest, with possible ensuing widespread violence on Sunday 12. Feb. This time ostensibly over #religion and control of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church #EOTC. #Oromo #Tigray
2/14: The conflict in #EOTC has deep roots, but flared up recently when a group of #Oromo clergy broke with the Church leadership and established a separate Synod, arguing that Oromo representation and culture had been marginalised throughout centuries.
3/14: #Oromo clergy protested that Afaan Oromo was not used in Church, leading to an alienation of the Church from its flock & the decrease of adherents, as well as clergy appointed to #Oromia “don't understand the language and the culture of the people”.
4/14: The #EOTC leadership called out the #Oromo breakaway as illegal, violating the “dogma, canon and administrative procedures” of the Church, and excommunicated the Oromo clergy supporting it.
5/14: #AbiyAhmed accused religious institutions of “politics, corruption, and racism”, and claimed that “The level of theft / corruption in these institutions is shocking.” Concomitantly he asked the #EOTC to negotiate the internal discord.
6/14: To rally support for its authority & control of #EOTC, Addis Patriarch reached out to #Tigray breakaway Synod and invited them back to the fold, blaming the “politicians” for the war on Tigray & the separation of contact to their flock in Tigray.
https://twitter.com/StalinTeklu/status/1623367287196553223
7/14: Concomitantly, it was reported that the #Oromia Synod requested the 'See of Selama' #Tigray Church Council to work with them, to join in a common front against the continued “Amharised” #EOTC.
8/14: The 'See of Selama' #Tigray Orthodox Church made it clear it was established “by the blood” sacrifice of #Tegaru during the atrocity war by #Ethiopia, a war supported by the #EOTC; and would maintain its independence. facebook.com/photo/?fbid=49…
9/14: #Ethiopia gov became increasingly anxious about the situation and criticism it received by all Church fractions. Hence they acted as usual in such situations, accusing Church activists of nefarious motives, a “red line” had been crossed, and ordered arrests & crackdown. 
10/14: The #EOTC leadership in response denounced #Ethiopia gov. claiming it “is bent on destroying the Church once and for all”. Promising to fight for the “dignity of the Church to death or exile” the Church fathers rejected government's interference.
https://twitter.com/NatyYifru/status/1623720882244931590?s=20&t=91lX0ltk1QTs0O6qupa4ng
11/14: #AbiyAhmed claims he “solved” a religious dispute in the town of Jimma early on in his political career. His involvement so far in the #EOTC dispute has however not been productive. It seems difficult to reconcile the different factions, however as it goes beyond religion.
12/14: The #EOTC leadership claims that “The holy church has laid a foundation for the unity of the country” and that the #Oromo faction now “divides the church, destroys the unity of the country, cause conflict, bloodshed and disturbs peace.”
13/14: The control of #EOTC may thus serve as a metaphor of the control of #Ethiopia: a centralized rule, or devolved power. The fragmentation of EOTC may thus also mirror the fragmentation of Ethiopia, aligning political forces behind the various Church fractions.
14/14: The future of #EOTC will in this respect herald z future of #Ethiopia. #EOTC bestowed z Emperor with divine authority. When z Church today denounces the new “7th King” & claims to be the sole protector of Ethiopia – religion once again take the centre stage in the country.
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