Update on war in Ethiopia


Hello brothers and sisters,

You may or may not have heard about the current peace situation in Ethiopia. I just wanted to take a moment to let you know what is going on in general so that you can pray.

Exactly one year ago on this day, November 4, 2021, a war broke out in northern Ethiopia after a political group (ever since designated as “terrorist” by the Ethiopian government) attacked the military base with the intention of overthrowing the government and coming back to power which it lost after ruling for 27 years in 2018 to a popular ouster. The government started an operation to take back full control of the country, but things got complicated as several actors including the Western and Eastern superpowers, and some neighboring countries got involved to protect and further their own respective interests. The major media outlets have also been used to propagate the views of their allies accordingly to influence the public opinion at the global level, and that of policy makers in some countries who have wasted no time to dispense military and economic sanctions on the country. This has escalated the conflict further, for it has encouraged one party more than the other and complicated the path to a foreseeable peace.

While the war in Ethiopia has provided a fertile ground for geopolitical dominance race, it has caused so much loss of lives and economic destruction in the country. Tens of thousands have lost their lives, millions have been displaced, and an uncountable number are suffering from loss of loved ones, emotional trauma, and extremely high cost of living. Stories and narratives have been tactfully fashioned and told to suit a certain interest but very little is actually told about the plights and facts on the ground. I will leave the validity of claims and assertions made by different actors and “onlookers” to responsible journalism and history, but I want to submit to you all to pray for Ethiopia and its people. As we speak, the rebels (the “liberators” as referred to by some) are about 300 km from the capital Addis Ababa. For now, our church is only found in the capital city and some with disciples live in other regions. So far, no one is directly affected by the war except those who have lost their loved ones and friends in those areas of conflict. I will update you with more in the coming days.

Thank you so much and God bless,

Your brother in Christ,
Berhanu