_(cropped).jpg) The Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch Abune Mathias in 2018 | |
| Date | 22 January 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Oromia Region, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Cause | Accustions of the illegally ordinated synod of ethnic discrimination by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church |
| Target | Overthrowing the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Patriarch Abune Mathias to form Oromia Region Synod |
| Perpetrator | Abune Sawiros |
| Casualties | |
| 30 people killed as of February 10[1] | |
On 22 January 2023, three bishops led by Abune Sawiros formed 25-episcopate in Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region that is condemned by the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Abune Mathias. The group accused the Holy Synod of discriminating ethnic groups. On 26 January, the Holy Synod excommunicated them, while one archbishop of the group demanded apology to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church officials.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for meddling the church affairs. Violence were erupted in the southern region which killed at least 30 people. On 4 February, a clash occurred in Shashamane that killed three Orthodox youths. The Ethiopian government blocked access of social media sites such as Facebook, Messenger, Telegram, YouTube and TikTok for five months from 9 February until 17 July.[2]
- ^ "Ethiopia Orthodox Church split: Social media restricted". BBC News. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
- ^ "Social Networks, Messaging Services Unblocked in Ethiopia". News Central TV | Latest Breaking News Across Africa, Daily News in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt Today. 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.