By Dr. Greg Cochran, ICC Fellow 

Nigeria’s continued presence on the Countries of Particular Concern list is a good sign that religious liberty still motivates the American soul. Beyond this, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) teamed up with Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

In response to this action, Religious Freedom International notes that Smith has chaired 13 hearings focused exclusively on Nigeria during the past 30 years. These positive endeavors confronting violations of religious freedom should be applauded.  

Nevertheless, because evil never rests, leaders must continue exposing violations of religious liberty throughout the African continent. International Christian Concern (ICC) and other policy and advocacy groups consistently point out that “under-the-radar” countries must not be overlooked. Ethiopia, for instance, continues to disregard religious liberty — if not disregard, then at least demonstrate the lack of will to maintain it. 

Like the best physicians with numerous patients, concerned leaders must allocate time and attention to addressing multiple needs simultaneously. Christians in Ethiopia need attention. The fact that Nigeria is in particularly bad shape does not excuse neglecting other places, such as Ethiopia. 

In nearly every corner of Ethiopia, Christians suffer violence. The conflicts vary in their sources, but the outcome too often ends the same way: death or displacement. In the North, the Tigray War looms large, casting its long shadow of fear, death, and destruction. Far from calming such fears and shining light in such darkness, the Orthodox Church divided into separate factions.  

In the South, several factors counteract attempts to live freely. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a militia group fighting for the ethnic Oromo people, incites some of the increasing violence. However, the group insists that the government provokes the violence, not the OLA. In addition, Wahhabi Islam planted itself in the Oromo region in the 1970’s, taking root among the Arsi Oromo people and others, creating violent clashes with Christians and with other Muslims along the way.   

In the East, the largest Somali population in Ethiopia provides example after example of violence. Influenced by the same Wahhabi Islam as that taking root in Oromia, the eastern region of Ethiopia provides numerous examples of Christians being targeted for violence by family members and former friends if they leave Islam. The stories are sad, reflecting a macabre pattern of Muslims targeting Christian men with violence and threats so they will be afraid of losing jobs, thus suffering the shame of not providing for their families. Thankfully, many of these men remain faithful despite the cruel coercion at play.  

Further west, a Catholic Mission compound was attacked and looted in December. ICC reported on this event. As the article highlights, this attack involved ethnic tribes in defiance of Ephesians 2:14, choosing ethnic loyalty over Christ, who breaks down earthly barriers and dividing walls. The priest who was interviewed grieved at the gruesome reality that some of the attackers were professing members of the church. 

Beyond Christian persecution, Ethiopia continues to experience political unrest and ethnic violence. In fact, at least one researcher argues that religion is not the main driver of violence in Ethiopia. Rather, as this article claims, political and ethnic concerns drive violence. The gravity of such a debate exceeds the scope of this article, but the main point is plain enough. Ethiopia has an ongoing violence problem that cannot be overlooked. 

Violence foreshadows further economic and political problems. For example, the ongoing violence against Christians has generated claims that the government is complicit, or at least incompetent. Whether this charge against the government is true remains to be seen, but the political and economic consequences will harm Ethiopia. In an opinion piece published by The Hill, Mesfin Tegenu explained, “For members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the implications extend beyond moral concern. Religious persecution is also a strategic warning sign. Where governments fail to protect faith communities, broader instability often follows — along with the erosion of the rule of law, the breakdown of social cohesion, and increased displacement.” 

Christians must remain concerned about Nigeria while also demonstrating the capacity, like that of a great physician, to care for Ethiopia as well. Of particular concern for Christians should be the desire for unity among the various churches in the face of violence and suffering. In the spirit of John 17, Christians have both the opportunity and the obligation to be one under the risen Lord. Ethiopia has been a home to Christians for nearly the entire history of the church (Acts 8). Christians can further join legislators and leaders of goodwill fighting for religious liberty.  

All Westerners ought to be concerned about Ethiopia. Reasons for concern include the global economy, international trade routes, counterterrorism cooperation, Red Sea security, and the fundamental right to religious freedom. But above all, the concern for Ethiopia is a human one. People of goodwill promote human life, health, and healing, not power, death, and coercion.