Temesgen Tiruneh Warns Against Religious Division Amid State Track Record Scrutiny
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh has publicly warned against efforts to divide religious institutions, specifically the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. However, critics argue this rhetoric contradicts the government's actual record regarding security, displacement, and the treatment of clergy.
Why it matters
The tension between the Ethiopian state and religious institutions highlights ongoing concerns regarding human rights, governance, and the stability of the country's social fabric.
(Nairobi, Kenya) — FDRE Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh declared that the federal government will not tolerate political or structural approaches aimed at dividing religious institutions or weakening their institutional capacity, speaking during the opening ceremony of the 45th General International Parish Spiritual Assembly of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) in Addis Ababa.
Delivering an official government address before Church leadership and assembly delegates, the Deputy Prime Minister commended the historical legacy, national contributions, and cultural endurance of the EOTC, describing its role in statehood and social cohesion as foundational. In his remarks, Temesgen stressed that the federal government views religious institutions as essential pillars of national strength and warned external and internal actors against fostering factionalism within church structures.
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