In August 2018, Abune Merkorios, a patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church who had lived in exile for about 27 years after a disputed 1990s patriarchal succession, returned to Ethiopia as church factions moved toward reconciliation.
RFI and other outlets reported the homecoming as a religious and political signal of the 2018 opening: ending a long schism mattered for millions of Orthodox faithful and for the state’s relationship with the church.
The return remains a useful reference for readers tracking faith, national identity, and how Ethiopia’s 2018 political shift reached institutions beyond parliament and the security services.
Sources: RFI, BBC Africa
