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Persecution News - Ethiopia

Ethiopia Profile

Total Area:
1,127,127 sq. km

Population:
78,254,090 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994)

Language:
Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994)

Religion:
Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994)

Government Type:
Federal Republic

Capital:
Addis Ababa

Population Below Poverty Line:
38.7% (2006 est.)

Country Reports

Update: New charges concocted against Ethiopian Christian

February 25, 2010

Photo from Compass Direct

Authorities in Ethiopia are attempting to file a terrorism case against Bashir Musa Ahmed (39), who was arrested without formal charges in May 2009 for the "malicious" distribution of Bibles (click here for more information). According to local Christian leaders and a state official, Islamist pressure has kept Bashir in detention in spite of the state's failure to find any legitimate charge against him. Police have submitted the terrorism charges to prosecutors, who last month requested police to find some evidence for the accusation. Bashir has reportedly been beaten in jail and has been repeatedly denied bail. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray that these charges will be dropped and that Bashir will be released. Ask God to give Bashir hope and peace during this uncertain time. Pray that God will open doors of opportunity for Bashir to clearly share the gospel for which he suffers while in prison (Colossians 4:2-3).

To learn more about suffering believers in Ethiopia, check out the Ethiopia Country Report.