Attacks on Ethiopian Orthodox Church: Violence and domestic terrorism continue in Ethiopia, with the government either doing nothing to protect its citizens or taking part in the atrocities. The Ethiopian Orthodox Synod accuses Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed Ali of interfering in the church’s internal affairs. The synod has reminded the government of its responsibilities and the need to respect the church’s decisions. Reports from Ethiopia document attacks on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and suggest that government security forces are both allowing the attacks and in some cases participating in them. The Orthodox Church plays a critical role in Ethiopian society, and attempts to undermine it will destabilize the country and could have dire consequences.
Community supports Rep. Chris Smith: The Ethiopian-American community expresses its strong support for Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) to become chair of the Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Smith has been a stalwart defender of American interests and values and a friend to democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. He has traveled to Ethiopia several times to confront dictators, sponsored legislation that committed the United States to support democracy and civil society in Ethiopia, and held numerous hearings and press conferences about Ethiopia and Africa.
Protests in Washington: Ethiopian Orthodox church held a protest in front of the U.S. State Department and Congress Wednesday, where a vast crowd gathered to urge the Biden administration and Congress to take action against the Ethiopian government for its indifference to and perpetration of acts of genocide against ethnic and religious groups. The group hopes to create “public awareness about the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Amhara and Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia.”
US seeks peace and stability in Ethiopia: U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price reported that “the Secretary conveyed to Prime Minister Abiy in their January 21st call, the United States is committed to supporting the African Union and its High-Level Panel to ensure the cessation of hostilities agreement delivers a lasting peace and efforts to avoid further conflict and human rights violations in Oromia. We continue to seek peace and stability in Ethiopia to build upon the longstanding, strong partnership between our governments and our people.”
Mesfin Mekonen
Mesfin Mekonen is the author of Washington Update, a bulletin about Ethiopia’s struggle for freedom and prosperity, and founder of MM Management.
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