Christians among around 50,000 displaced in latest Ethiopia conflict

Please pray – a fresh outbreak of violence has struck the Ethiopia–Kenya border, leaving nine dead and over 50,000 displaced from the region. Among them are numerous believers, made even more vulnerable by the conflict.

Last week saw a violent eruption of conflict in the south of Ethiopia where the country borders Kenya. The town of Moyale was the epicentre of the violence, where gunfire on Wednesday (21 October) hospitalised 30 people, nine of whom died of their injuries. Reports state that 50,000 people have fled into Kenya to escape the violence, and among them are many believers who have become even more vulnerable because of the conflict.

The fresh conflict accompanies the ongoing fighting taking place in Ethiopia’s volatile Oromia region and was reportedly sparked by a Somali regional flag being erected in Moyale. Other reports state that an Ethiopian flag was also taken down, provoking a sharp disagreement in an already geographically contested area.

What is causing the conflict?

The town of Moyale is situated in disputed territory between the Borana people, who view parts of Oromia in Ethiopia (including Moyale) as their rightful territory, and the Somali people group, who believe that the rightful borders of their land extend much further than the federal state they govern in Ethiopia. This territory extends to a part of the Oromia region, Somaliland and Somalia itself. Moyale already has a history of conflict that is largely rooted in the nation’s political history, with sources related to the civil violence that broke out in northern Ethiopia at the start of October.

Thus, when an Ethiopian flag was replaced with two Somali flags, it awakened pre-existing tensions between the Borana and Somali peoples – with devastating effects. The UN Refugee Agency stated, “The significant cross-border movements have been reported since 22 October. According to local authorities, up to an estimated 50,000 people have crossed into Kenya. The figure remains fluid as registration and verification efforts continue, amid reports of further crossings.”

According to Open Doors local partners, at least ‘10,000 families are hosted in temporary camps and about 4,000 families are hosted by relatives, friends, churches and other community members’.

How is the conflict affecting believers?

Christian persecution in Ethiopia is complex and multifaceted, with converts from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) and Muslim communities being especially vulnerable. Times of conflict intensify these conditions for believers who become even more vulnerable to attack. This is because the unrest provides a useful cover for persecutors, the causes of violence against Christians being harder to pinpoint.

“In peaceful times perpetrators are more careful, but in violent times it is easier to avoid being held accountable as the religious persecution motive can be hidden more easily as part of the violence,” Timothy*, an Open Doors expert on the region, explains.

With the increased chaos and displacement of believers, persecution only becomes more entrenched and harder to counter.

Stand in the gap

Your prayers are urgently needed for all affected communities in Ethiopia – among them many of our brothers and sisters. With various incidents of ongoing violence touching several regions across the nation, please stand with the church in Ethiopia as it clings to Christ at this time.

*Name changed for security reasons