Ethiopia (MNN) – Renewed instability in Ethiopia includes a rise in persecution, especially in the Tigray and Oromia regions.
The Tigray conflict that lasted from 2020 – 2022 took a high toll on the area. Even with a peace deal that was reached in 2022, tensions have remained high. Lately, conflict has increased.
Persecution or War?
Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says with such longstanding volatility, it can be challenging to discern what some of the violence means. When a group of Christians are attacked, is it part of the violence of war or is it targeted persecution?
Nettleton says, “That’s one of the things that’s happened over the past couple of years in Ethiopia, is we’ve seen these attacks. It’s like, okay, was that warfare? Was that persecution? But when you see none of the other buildings in the neighborhood got blown up, except the church, it’s like, well, wait a minute, somebody was targeting that church. That was persecution. That was a targeted attack against that church.”
(Representative image courtesy of Hervé Clootens via Pixabay)
Violence crossed the line into persecution in February. There was an attack at a market in the East Arsia Zone in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. This region is home to the Oromo ethnic group which is primarily composed of Muslims; however, it also includes a significant Orthodox Christian population.
“In this attack, twenty Orthodox Christians were killed, as well as a Muslim guard at the market. Some others are missing, so they are believed to have been kidnapped by the attackers. A priest was among those who were killed when the attackers actually entered into a church building. So again, this is not just a market. This is a church that they entered into. They were shouting religious chants as they went in,” Nettleton says. “So this does seem to be a very targeted attack.”
Stand with the Church in Ethiopia
As the Church in Ethiopia faces increased warfare and persecution, Nettleton notes that Christians need prayer. Pray for safety, but also for a heart to continue to share the Gospel.
“I think we want to pray for God’s protection over them, obviously, but also, I think just praying for a spirit of forgiveness. Praying that this won’t create bitterness and anger within the hearts of Christians as they face this kind of pressure. As they face these kinds of attacks, it would be very easy to grow weary. It would be very easy to grow bitter. And so pray that the Lord will help them to keep a soft heart towards the people around them, and even for opportunities to share the Gospel.”
If you want to help support persecuted Christians through the ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs USA, click here.
Representative header photo courtesy of Tep Ro via Pixabay.
