By all accounts, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn is a devout Christian who does not share the anti-religious fervor of Ethiopia’s ruling Tigrai People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Haile Mariam is a member of the Protestant Apostolic Church of Ethiopia, an “only Jesus” denomination that does not believe in the Trinity.
Mr. Hailemariam has been put in the awkward position of justifying his government’s heavy-handed treatment of Muslims who have been peacefully protesting state interference in religious affairs.
Many of Mr. Haile Mariam’s colleagues in the Tigrai Liberation Front have always been hostile not only to Muslims, but also to Orthodox Christians. For example, the government has exiled the legitimate Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church. A founding member of the TPLF recently exposed ( http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/48455 ) the group”s deep-rooted hatred of Ethiopia’s religious and spiritual heritage. Many are wondering why this man of God has put himself at the service of unbelievers who are bent on violently suppressing Muslim protests.
The Voice of America Amharic program recently addressed Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn’s difficult predicament.