Ethiopia: Church leaders appeal for peace amid growing unrest

Cardinal Souraphiel CM

Source: CBE/Vatican News

The Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia have appealed for peaceful dialogue, as tensions in the northern Tigray region threaten to drag the country into a civil war.

"We urge parties to resolve their differences amicably, in a spirit of respect, understanding", the bishops said in a statement. They hope and pray "for the people to live together in respect, consultation and dialogue, and to work together for the prosperity of their common country.'

A series of developments last week between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the powerful Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the north have led to the escalation of tension in the country.

The Ethiopian government on Wednesday cut off communications in the heavily armed northern Tigray region and ordered troops to respond to an alleged deadly attack by Tigray's forces on a military base there. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the fighting.

Ethiopia's army said on Thursday it was deploying troops from around the country to Tigray, and the Tigray leader announced they "are ready to be martyrs". Casualties have been reported on both sides. On Friday, the upper house of parliament voted for a transitional government in the region to replace Tigray's leadership.

"The stability of Ethiopia is important for the entire Horn of Africa region. I call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the dispute", United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a tweet on Friday.

"Despite the efforts of religious leaders, elders and other interested parties to defuse the ongoing conflict between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray region, tensions have escalated", the Ethiopian bishops lamented. They warned that "if brothers kill themselves, Ethiopia will gain nothing" and it will lead the country to bankruptcy, benefitting no one. Urging "Ethiopians not to take the conflict lightly" they invited everyone to "contribute to the cause of reconciliation, strengthen national unity and guarantee peace and security."

The impending conflict could spread to other parts of Ethiopia, where some regions have been calling for more autonomy, and deadly ethnic violence has led the federal government to restore measures that include arresting critics.

The Ethiopian Catholic Church also condemned the ongoing displacement and killing of innocent people in various parts of the country. "The horrific massacre of our innocent brothers and sisters has left our Church deeply saddened", the bishops said. They urged "all Catholics in Ethiopia and around the world to take a closer look at the current situation in our country and pray for peace and reconciliation."

Speaking during the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed to Ethiopian authorities to choose the path of peace. Saying he was following with concern the news of the escalation of violence in Ethiopia, the Pope appealed to authorities there to "reject the temptation of armed conflict."

Pope Francis invited all Ethiopians "to prayer and to the fraternal respect for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of discord."

The Pope's appeal comes as the United Nations warned that nine million people risk displacement from the escalating conflict. UN observers yesterday also said the government's declaration of a state of emergency was blocking food and other aid.

The full statement of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia follows:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mt. 5:9)

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia is terribly saddened by the recurrent situation of blood shade, displacement and destructions of property happening in different parts of the country. Any action affecting the life of the human being is in no way acceptable and the Church urges all parties involved to stop all kind of violence and to engage in peaceful genuine dialogue.

We have observed serious differences between the Governments of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Regional State of Tigray and we were following it attentively. Religious leaders, elders, and other stakeholders have been engaged to bring the two parties to negotiation but with no success. It has worried us that the difference now is transformed into armed conflict.

We, the Catholic Bishops' of Ethiopia, urge both parties to immediately stop the armed conflict and start peaceful dialogue for the benefit of the people and resolve their difference in the spirit of understanding, mutual respect and trust.

Conflict between brotherly people does not help anyone instead, it destroys lives of innocent people and is an act that will turn our country into a failure and extreme poverty. All stakeholders involved specially the people of Ethiopia should actively engage in all initiatives that promote dialogue, peace and reconciliation

We also urge all media professionals, both at home and abroad, to report carefully on ethical, non-violent, and non-provocative manner.

All Catholics and people of good will are invited to pray frequently to God for peace and reconciliation as we all are invited by the Inter Religious Council of Ethiopia especially from November 5 to 12, 2020.

May Queen of Peace pray for us.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, CM
Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa
President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia