Religion, power and politics: what’s behind the violent attacks on Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been one of Ethiopia’s most influential institutions for more than 1,600 years.

Church and state were closely intertwined from the official adoption of Christianity in the 4th century until the overthrow of the imperial regime in 1974.

The church has shaped the political order, education systems and cultural identity.

It remains one of the country’s largest religious institutions, along with Islam and protestant Christianity.

About 43% of Ethiopians identify as Orthodox Christians in a national population estimated at 135.5 million.

The 1974 revolution marked a turning point in the relationship between the state and religion.

The military junta (called the Derg) introduced secularism .

The church’s status as the official state religion was abolished and its property confiscated by the regime.

The church’s influence and role in national life subsequently declined.

Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed power in 2018, a significant trend has emerged.

It’s marked by an increase in hostility seen in verbal and physical attacks against the institution.

Attacks against Orthodox churches, monasteries, clergy and worshippers have been documented by human rights groups , religious institutions, international observers and scholars .

I am a political science researcher specialising in peace and security, state-religion relations, and political dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

In a recent paper , I explored why one of the oldest and most influential institutions in Ethiopia had become a target of public hostility.