From Crucifixion to Resurrection: Ethiopia’s Spiritual and Political Crossroads

April 29, 2025

Caleb Ta (Dr.)

Author’s Motive

This article is born out of a deep concern for Ethiopia’s current trajectory—marked by authoritarian rule, ethnic conflict, famine, and mass displacement. As an Ethiopian scholar and observer, the author feels compelled to use a spiritual and historical lens to interpret the nation’s suffering. Drawing parallels between the crucifixion of Christ and the modern political betrayal in Ethiopia, the article seeks to awaken a sense of moral urgency and spiritual reflection. The goal is to contribute to the national dialogue on justice, reconciliation, and peace—offering a path forward grounded in truth and collective healing.

Much like an iceberg, where the most significant portions lie beneath the surface, the visible effects of Ethiopia’s crisis—violence, war, and suffering—are merely the tip of a much deeper and more complex issue. As the Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart of Ethiopia—the moral and spiritual core of the nation—has been wounded. True healing cannot be achieved without addressing these deeper, unseen factors: the betrayal of trust, the erosion of justice, and the abandonment of shared values that have fueled much of the country’s turmoil. This article is an invitation to look beneath the surface, to engage in a collective examination of conscience, and to seek redemption through a return to justice, unity, and moral integrity.

Abstract
This article draws parallels between the biblical account of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and Ethiopia’s contemporary political crisis, particularly focusing on betrayal, injustice, and the quest for redemption. Through a careful examination of biblical narratives and Ethiopia’s political landscape under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, it explores the themes of betrayal, narcissistic leadership, ethnic division, and the ongoing crises of war, famine, and instability. In this context, the juxtaposition of Good Friday and Easter offers a profound backdrop for reflecting on the challenges Ethiopia faces, with a call for justice, dignity, and a true path toward national healing.

Introduction

In the heart of Ethiopia’s ongoing struggles lies a profound parallel to one of the most defining events in human history—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As the Gospels recount betrayal, injustice, and suffering that led to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, Ethiopia’s contemporary political landscape reflects eerily similar themes. The crucifixion, a pivotal event in Christian theology, embodies not only personal betrayal but also politically motivated injustice. Judas Iscariot’s decision to sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver was an act aimed at silencing a revolutionary figure who challenged entrenched religious and political powers (Matthew 26:14–16; John 11:47–53). Similarly, contemporary Ethiopia faces a political landscape marked by betrayal, injustice, and a deep yearning for redemption

Likewise, modern Ethiopia is marked by broken promises, authoritarian drift, and the violent suppression of dissent. What began as a hopeful reform movement under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has devolved into a regime defined by division, repression, and widespread suffering—particularly in regions such as Tigray and Amhara. As in the biblical narrative, the forces of betrayal and injustice have crucified the nation’s hope for peace and unity, leaving Ethiopia at a crossroads. Yet, in this crucible of pain and political crisis lies a deeper yearning for redemption, echoing the spiritual promise that suffering may lead to renewal and resurrection.

Abiy Ahmed’s Narcissistic Leadership: Betrayal of Ethiopia’s Promise

Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power in 2018 was met with hope and optimism. His promises of national reconciliation, democratic reforms, and peace with Eritrea won him international acclaim, culminating in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Yet, what was once seen as a break from decades of authoritarian rule has become a nightmare for millions of Ethiopians.

Rather than pursuing genuine democratic reforms, Abiy has consolidated power, silenced opposition, and undermined Ethiopia’s federal system. His decision to dismantle the coalition of ethnic-based parties that had formed the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s post-1991 peacebuilding framework was a direct blow to ethnic autonomy and political diversity. This move, disguised as a quest for national unity, was, in fact, a politically motivated consolidation of power, weakening regional autonomy and exacerbating ethnic tensions.

Abiy’s leadership is also marked by narcissism and a fixation on personal legacy, often at the cost of human lives and national stability. His decision to initiate a war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in November 2020 was a critical turning point. The ensuing conflict has led to widespread atrocities, displacement, famine, and a fractured national identity. Abiy’s refusal to engage in meaningful political dialogue and his decision to pursue militarized solutions have left Ethiopia in ruins, deepening divisions among its people and triggering humanitarian crises.

The war in Amhara is yet another reflection of Abiy’s increasingly authoritarian rule. His deployment of heavy military force, including drones and airstrikes, against both armed groups and civilians underscores his determination to suppress opposition and centralize power, regardless of the human cost.

The War in Tigray: A Devastating Consequence of Authoritarianism

The Tigray war, which erupted in November 2020, has been one of the most destructive conflicts in Ethiopia’s modern history. The government’s actions—coupled with the involvement of Eritrean forces—have led to widespread atrocities, ethnic cleansing, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The war has displaced millions, killed tens of thousands, and pushed the Tigray region to the brink of famine.

Despite international calls for peace and humanitarian aid, Abiy’s government has actively obstructed relief efforts, making it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in desperate need. The humanitarian crisis in Tigray is compounded by the government’s refusal to negotiate with the Tigrayans, further entrenching ethnic and political divisions. The war has also shattered Ethiopia’s economy, with inflation soaring and millions facing food insecurity.

The War in Amhara: Political and Psychological Suppression

In addition to the Tigray conflict, Ethiopia is now embroiled in a brutal and prolonged war in the Amhara region. Under Abiy’s leadership, the government has escalated its military presence in Amhara, targeting both armed opposition groups and civilians with indiscriminate airstrikes and drone attacks.

One tragic example occurred on April 23, 2025, in Gedeb kebele, where a drone strike killed over 100 civilians. The attack targeted a peaceful community gathering where residents were preparing for Easter celebrations. This attack, along with other similar incidents, is part of a broader strategy to break the will of the Amhara people, using military force to suppress resistance and eliminate any political opposition to Abiy’s regime.

The military’s brutal tactics, including drone strikes and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, have exacerbated the region’s humanitarian crisis. Ethnically motivated violence, land expropriation, and mass displacement are widespread. The Amhara people, once central to Ethiopia’s political identity, now find themselves at the mercy of a regime that views them as a threat to its centralized authority.

Economic Collapse and Famine: A Nation in Crisis

The ongoing conflicts in Tigray and Amhara, combined with a range of other internal and external challenges, have brought Ethiopia’s economy to the brink of collapse. The country, once a leader in economic growth in Africa, has seen its economy contract sharply, with inflation reaching unprecedented levels. Basic goods and services have become scarce, and millions face food insecurity.

Famine remains a critical threat, particularly in conflict zones like Tigray and Amhara, where humanitarian aid has been blocked by government forces. Abiy’s refusal to allow aid to reach those in need has worsened the crisis, leaving millions at risk of starvation.

Ethnic Tensions and National Division

Abiy Ahmed’s policies, particularly the dissolution of Ethiopia’s ethnic-based political system in favor of the Prosperity Party, have deepened ethnic divisions rather than healing them. The Tigray war is emblematic of the ethnic polarization that has characterized Abiy’s tenure. The Amhara and Oromo populations have also expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership, leading to increased unrest and violence.

Abiy’s failure to address the root causes of ethnic tensions, coupled with his authoritarian rule, has created an environment where ethnic militias are becoming more active. The country is now deeply divided, with regional conflicts further undermining Ethiopia’s fragile unity.

Conclusion: A Cry for Redemption

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ offer profound and timeless lessons on betrayal, injustice, suffering—and the enduring power of hope and renewal. This sacred narrative speaks not only to the spiritual condition of humanity but to the political and moral crisis of nations on the brink. Ethiopia today finds itself living a modern crucifixion, pierced by political betrayal, ethnic strife, and the widespread disillusionment of a people once filled with hope. The nation’s wounds—inflicted by war, famine, authoritarian rule, and systemic injustice—are deep and still bleeding.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, once celebrated as a visionary reformer and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has instead become a symbol of unfulfilled promises and authoritarian decline. His leadership, marked by centralization of power, ethnic polarization, and militarized repression, has driven Ethiopia into some of its darkest chapters. The wars in Tigray and Amhara, the economic collapse, the suppression of dissent, and the erosion of federalism have torn at the fabric of a nation long struggling to balance its diversity with unity.

Yet just as the crucifixion was not the end of the Christian story, Ethiopia’s suffering need not be its final chapter. The message of the resurrection is not only about spiritual salvation—it is about the human capacity for renewal after devastation, and the power of moral courage to overcome entrenched injustice. Ethiopia’s path forward must draw upon that hope. Its resurrection will not come through military might or autocratic control, but through repentance, truth-telling, national dialogue, and a commitment to inclusive governance rooted in dignity and justice for all.

The dismantling of the Prosperity Party and the peaceful removal of Abiy Ahmed’s regime may be necessary steps toward this transformation. But the deeper change must go beyond individuals or parties. Ethiopia must rebuild its institutions on principles of federal balance, human rights, and community-based reconciliation. Its leaders must trade ego for humility, coercion for consensus, and propaganda for transparency.

This is Ethiopia’s Good Friday—a moment of national crucifixion, agony, and reckoning. But Easter, with all its redemptive power, remains possible. It will demand more than political change; it will require the courage of a people who refuse to accept despair as destiny. It will require faith—not only in God, but in the democratic will of a united and awakened citizenry. If Ethiopians rise with moral resolve, guided by truth and bound by a shared purpose, the nation can reclaim its soul. Ethiopia can move beyond betrayal and violence, toward redemption, justice, and a lasting peace born of shared humanity. In the resurrection story lies the enduring promise: even the most broken nation can rise again.

The lessons of the crucifixion and resurrection remind Ethiopians that even in the darkest moments, there is hope for renewal. Ethiopia’s path forward lies in embracing unity, justice, and the moral transformation necessary to heal the wounds of conflict and build a truly inclusive peace.