MUSLIM HATE IN ETHIOPIA
Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 20, 2004
Ethiopia: Violence in Gambella Region
The security situation in the Gambella region of western Ethiopia is deteriorating and has resulted in fighting between ethnic Anuaks and the Ethiopian military and Anuaks and other ethnic groups. More than 200 people have died as a result.
The United States deplores this ongoing ethnic violence and calls upon the Government of Ethiopia to conduct transparent, independent inquiries, and particularly into allegations that members of the Ethiopian military committed acts of violence against civilians in Gambella region. Fully transparent and independent investigations by the Government would encourage restoration of peace in the troubled region. We urge all parties to refrain from further acts of violence and to work together to find lasting solutions to the root problems that sparked these violent episodes.
#2004/181
Released on February 20, 2004
NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
January 10, 2003
Violence Continues Against Christians in Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Christians in Ethiopia continue to be targets of violent acts in this country where Muslim and Eastern Orthodox religions are dominant. On December 29, 2002, a Meserete Kristos (Mennonite) Church (MKC) in Mekele was looted and burned. All its property was destroyed and one member at the church compound at the time was severely beaten.
Incidents earlier in the year included raiding the home of Christians in Abdurafi, a small village in the northwest. Two church leaders there were beaten, one needing hospitalization for 13 days. In Moyale, a town on the Kenyan border, two elderly MKC women suffered beatings. One, aged 65, spent 10 days in hospital and she sustains permanent disabilities. In Maychew, violent demonstrations led to the burning of all Christian churches there, including an MKC church. Its leader was imprisoned due to false accusations, and is still in prison, according to reports.
Fikru Zeleke, Evangelism and Missions secretary of the MKC, said that the hostility against Christians has escalated in the last year.
"Muslims in this country have targeted the evangelicals as number one enemy. The hostility is not limited to MKC. It embraces all active evangelical churches in the country," said Zeleke.
The Muslim religion is dominant in some parts of Ethiopia, ranging from 90 percent of the population in the southeast to nearly 100 percent in the Afar region. In the Tigray region in the north, 96 percent of the people are Ethiopian Orthodox.
According to Zeleke, these religions regard themselves as the only religions that have the right to expand their faith in the country and they target evangelicals who are engaged in aggressive mission efforts throughout the nation.
The MKC has 83 missionaries working mostly among unreached groups within Ethiopia as well as international workers in three African countries. The church, in partnership with Eastern Mennonite Missions in the U.S., plans to send two workers to Asia and is in the process of accepting into membership a church of East African immigrants based in the Middle East.
Zeleke said that MKC is asking Anabaptists around the world to pray for its evangelistic and mission efforts, especially in this difficult time of opposition.
— Ferne Burkhardt, News Editor
Brits warned against travel to Ethiopia
Last Modified: 3 Nov 2005
Source: ITN
The Foreign Office has urged British citizens against non-essential travel to
Ethiopia.
At least 33 people have been killed and 150 wounded in three days of
anti-government protests.
A Foreign Office statement said: "There have been further serious disturbances
across the capital on 1 and 2 November 2005, resulting in a number of deaths.
"Opposition leaders have been arrested and further violence in Addis and other
towns cannot be ruled out. We advise against non-essential travel to Ethiopia
until the situation settles."
In Ethiopia's worst violence in months, security forces opened fire to disperse
hundreds of demonstrators apparently heeding a call by the biggest opposition
party for renewed protests against a May 15 poll it says was rigged.
Security forces were deployed to patrol the quiet streets of the capital where
shops were shut to mark the Muslim Eid Al-Fitr festival.
Thousands of Muslims streamed to the main square in Addis Ababa for dawn prayers
in a peaceful but brief gathering to celebrate the end of the Ramadan fasting
period.
Merchant Hussein Aware said: "The ceremony is not as joyful as previous years.
Many people did not come. We are very sad because of all this fighting."
The United States has condemned "cynical, deliberate" attempts to stoke violence
in the capital.
Medical sources in two hospitals have said two people were shot dead during the
third day of clashes between police and protesters.
A doctor said: "We have one person dead. He was 19 years old and hit in the
chest."
Another doctor in the Black Lion hospital said a 60 year-old man was killed in
unrest in an eastern suburb of Addis Ababa.