 has accuses the ruling Prosperity Party of allegedly using “religion as a last playing card” to incite violence...Read more.){kind=link}
Borkena News Desk
Toronto, Borkena — The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) has accused the ruling Prosperity Party of allegedly using “religion as a last playing card” to incite violence between communities.
It is widely believed in Ethiopia that the ruling Prosperity Party has been facing a legitimacy crisis despite its recent announcement that it won the 7th general election. Some Opposition parties, including members of the Coalition for Ethiopian Unity, tend to believe that the ruling party is manufacturing conflict in the country, seemingly to maintain its hold on power, with similar views also reflected in social media discussions, including from activists.
In a statement released on Sunday, following the killing of two religious leaders in the Amhara region (one Christian and one Muslim), EPRP accused the ruling party of advancing agendas aimed at inciting violence.
“It is a repeatedly observed and heard fact that since the day the regime took power, it has been deliberately advancing agenda and carrying out and facilitating numerous acts of destruction, in order to create conflict and violence among people who have lived together for years in brotherhood and mutual respect,” it said.
EPRP also alleged that the ruling party appears “frustrated that its plan to turn people against one another did not work as planned” and has resorted to playing the religious card. It argued that this is reflected through actions across its top-down structure.
The party cited the arrest of activists who spoke out against the massacre of Orthodox Christians in Arsi and Kelem Wollega, and attacks on churches and mosques in conflict areas across the country, as evidence that the ruling party is “playing religion as a last card.”
It also pointed to the killing of Sheikh Sufian, Imam of Hutiba Mosque in Dangla, Gojjam, who was shot dead on his way home, and Priest Frew Habtamu of Abune Tekle Haymanot Church in Bati, Amhara region, on June 24, as possible evidence of an orchestrated pattern.
EPRP called on people to organize and protect themselves. It also urged followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Ethiopian Muslims not to fall into the “trap set by the regime” and to protect one another.
The ruling Prosperity Party, which is declared winner of over 90 percent of parliamentary seats in the recent general election, has not responded to EPRP’s allegations.
There have been recurring massacres against Orthodox Christians in Arsi, Oromia region, for at least four years. Likewise, there have also been killings targeting Muslims in some parts of the country.
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The party for food opposition parties in Ethiopia are becoming company to the re-coronation of the brutal dictator Abiy Ahmed. The party for food is like the food for work program which is meant to secure food for the needy in Ethiopia.
I don’t think it is the ruling party only who is trying to play the religion card in Ethiopia!!! The opposition is also trying to depict the government as Protestant . Since the 1960’s Ethiopia’s politician have used individuals from the churches and mosques to their advantage, it is to us the religious people to protect our faith from politicians on both sides not politicians.
This is a very serious allegation and must be independently investigated.
Once again, I call upon our dear editors of this esteemed website we all considered our go-to reliable news waterhole, to use their enormous journalistic capabilities and verify this sad and dangerous tragedy/crime. I remember stories your reporter sent from on location in Addis/Finfinnee.
Dear Editors,
Inter religious conflict is the last conflict that country will never need. Since 1974 it has managed to avoid that successfully even though the Wahhabi extremists tried to ignite that on many occasions. But they have failed and failed miserably because that Muslim peasant and urban dweller told them no. They failed because those Christian peasants and urban dwellers said no. But it has been my worst fear and nightmare. I will anxiously wait for your honest and independent finding.
Blessings to you and your family