- Advertisement -
For almost seven months, the war has affected Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia. The federal government launched a military operation in the province in early November and the conflict spread. The Eritrean army sent thousands of troops to Tigray, and the military from the Amhara ethnic group took control of large areas. The violence has left thousands dead. Massacres have been exposed and the humanitarian situation is more than worrying. In an exclusive interview with RFI, the patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Mekele spoke for the first time. Illance an earnest prayer for help: “I want my people to survive”
Since the beginning of the Tigray War, some have criticized Ethiopian religious leaders for not responding adequately. Two weeks ago, the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Mathias, accused the government of wanting to “destroy Tigray”.
Our special correspondent in Tigray, Sébastien Németh, was able to meet Abune Isaias, the patriarch of Mekele, the province’s most important diocese. He explains that the authorities had interrupted communication and that the church therefore could not make its voice heard.
In an exclusive interview, the patriarch of the Mekele Orthodox Church spoke for the first time. In turn, he also has very harsh words against Addis Ababa.
Abune Isaias: I’ve never seen this. The crimes follow each other. Churches are destroyed. And it’s a war against the Tigrayans. They are after our history and want to kill everyone. It’s genocide. They want to destroy the Tigrayans and the Tigrays … It’s the federal government that is attacking us and giving orders. As a result, we were attacked from all sides. But it is Addis Ababa that is in charge. I’m so sorry. I would have preferred to die than to see this. God decided otherwise. But I still wonder why I’m still alive.
RFI: Are we in a war of revenge for the time when the Tigrayans themselves were in power??
The Tigrayans are brave, hardworking. Our values are as strong as stones. And some are jealous of it. They knew they could not run Ethiopia the way they wanted. So they want to destroy Tigray to control the land according to their wishes. The Tigrayans will not retaliate. That is not our mentality. But when it comes to defending our freedom, we will never stop. If we touch it, we will try to preserve it no matter what.
I believe that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Issayas Afewerki only want to eliminate those who prevent them from taking power. They want to be kings.
Eritrea fought for its freedom and gained independence. But then Issayas Afewerki killed the intellectuals, the people fled the country. He did this for 30 years and stayed in power. He teaches Abiy Ahmed the same things. The Ethiopian Prime Minister follows in the footsteps of Issayas Afewerki.
How to get out of this conflict? Can the Church play a role as a mediator who has seen in especially African countries??
We are all equal in the eyes of God. When your brother dies, you have to react. So the world must do something immediately. Why is the international community silent? Listen to our voice, help us.
Our church has tried to speak, but the federal government is not listening. Earlier, when someone came to power, they sought the blessing of the Church. But today’s leaders are only interested in their own power.
I no longer believe that the Tigrayans are still Ethiopians. There has been so much destruction and murder. We want to reduce them to slavery.
There are robberies, murders, people are starving. My people no longer sleep because they are afraid of being killed at any time. So we must act immediately. I ask the Eritreans and Amhara forces to leave Tigray. I ask the world to hear us. I want my people to survive.
I’ve never seen this. The crimes follow each other. Churches are destroyed. It’s a war against the Tigrayans. They are after our history and want to kill everyone. It’s genocide […] We must act immediately. I ask the Eritreans and Amhara forces to leave Tigray. I ask the world to hear us.
Abune Isaias, Patriarch of Mekele
.
