Solomon

Open Letter To: His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church @KremlinRussia_E @mfa_russia Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding the Massacre of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia Date: 29 October 2026 Your Excellencies and Your Holiness, I write this open letter with profound sorrow and urgency to raise the plight of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who have been subjected to deadly attacks in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. These events coincide with the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Moscow for the Third Russia-Africa Summit. According to statements from the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, at least 60 Orthodox Christian faithful were killed in two attacks in the Arsi Zone of Oromia. On 20 October 2026, 14 people were killed in Gora Silingo in Merti Woreda. On 24 October 2026, 46 more were killed in the areas of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka Woreda. More than 20 people were seriously injured, and approximately 20 homes were burned. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the victims included women, the elderly, and children, and that the attacks involved coordinated assaults on civilian communities. Church authorities have described the killings as brutal and merciless massacres that violate the right to life and freedom of religion, and that undermine Ethiopia’s traditions of peaceful coexistence among its peoples.​ These attacks form part of a documented pattern of violence against Orthodox Christian communities in Oromia, including previous incidents in the Arsi area that have resulted in deaths, displacement, and the destruction or looting of churches and homes. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has repeatedly called on authorities to protect civilians and to bring those responsible to justice. Security forces reportedly reached the scene of the larger attack but were unable to prevent the killings. In the aftermath, reports indicate that dozens of residents who assisted with burials or care for the wounded have been detained.​ I address you at this moment because of Russia’s longstanding relations with Ethiopia, the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, and the deep historical and spiritual ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s presence in Moscow provides an immediate opportunity for dialogue. We respectfully urge: • The Government of the Russian Federation, through President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, to raise with the Ethiopian leadership the need for effective protection of civilian populations, impartial investigation of these and prior attacks, accountability for perpetrators, and measures to prevent further violence against Orthodox Christian and other vulnerable communities in Oromia. • His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church to express solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the bereaved communities, and to encourage peaceful coexistence and the safeguarding of religious freedom in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Its faithful have suffered repeated targeted violence in recent years. We ask that these killings not pass in silence while Ethiopia’s Prime Minister attends the summit in Moscow, and that all parties with influence use it constructively to protect innocent lives and uphold the rule of law. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and my prayers for the recovery of the injured and the safety of those still at risk. Respectfully, Elias United States of America 🇺🇸