Tensions are being reported between the Ethiopian government and representatives of Ethiopian Religions Representatives. Government has proposed a new law which, if implemented, would make it impossible for Religious Institutions to hide anything from the government. Discussions are on going between the government and the religious institutions.
The main and strongest religious institutions in Ethiopia are Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Protestants, Catholics and Waaqeffanna. The strongest of these religious institutions is “Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church”(EOTC). EOTC says that Ethiopian government is backing Prosperity Gospel and creating divisions within EOTC.
Ethiopian Government intends to introduce a new law about religious institutions. This new law is called “Religious Affairs Proclamation.” This law is drafted and new amendments are being proposed.
This law states that the religious institutions must establish an accounting and audit system and submit their audit report to the Ministry of Peace. The institutions will have to use an accounting system containing a list of income, expenditure and total assets. Income received from abroad will have to be declared and the institutions will have to open bank accounts to raise money in the country. Support, aid and donations given from abroad will have to be declared as well.
After discussions between the government and Ethiopian Religions representatives, an amendment has been made to this law. According to the amendment, the religious institutions will not be bound to declare support or any donations received from abroad. Reportedly, this drafted law will be submitted to the House of People’s Representatives (HOPR) soon. However religious institutions are still raising more questions about this law. It remains to be seen if the law will be approved by the HOPR or not. It seems that the Ethiopian government wants to bring the religious institutions under control.
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