Religion, power and politics: what’s behind the violent attacks on Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been one of Ethiopia’s most influential institutions for more than 1,600 years. Church and state were closely intertwined from the official adoption of Christianity in the 4th century until the overthrow of the imperial regime in 1974. The church has shaped the political order, education systems and cultural identity. It remains one of the country’s largest religious institutions, along with Islam and protestant Christianity. About 43% of Ethiopians…