Ethiopians celebrate Meskel and call for peace amid fighting
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrated Meskel with bonfires and processions in Addis Ababa while calling for peace, as renewed fighting in Tigray raised fears of another major conflict. The celebrations came after a 2022 peace agreement that ended a two-year war appeared to be unraveling.
Written by Roundtablefrom 2 outlets' reporting
01What happened
Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrated Meskel, the annual festival commemorating the discovery of the True Cross, in Addis Ababa. The celebration included singing, prayer, religious processions, and the lighting of a bonfire called Demera. Worshippers called for peace amid renewed fighting in the northern Tigray region between Ethiopian federal troops and fighters loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The latest hostilities have undermined the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022, which ended a two-year war. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Tigray after Tigrayan fighters took control of the airport in Mekelle, and residents reported internet disruptions and road closures linking Tigray with the neighboring Afar region.
The facts every outlet at this table agrees on.
02Every voice
One entry per outlet, in the order they should be read. Each links back to the reporting it was drawn from — check any of it.
Al Jazeera English
Read the original· aljazeera.comHow they framed it
Al Jazeera English frames the event as a religious celebration with a focus on the call for peace amid renewed fighting. The report is brief and mentions the context of the conflict in Tigray.
In their words
Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrated Meskel, the annual festival commemorating the discovery of the True Cross, while calling for peace amid renewed fighting in the country's northern Tigray region.
Africa News
Read the original· africanews.comHow they framed it
Africa News provides a detailed account of the celebration, including descriptions of the bonfire, processions, and interviews with attendees. It emphasizes the peace calls and provides background on the conflict and the 2022 peace agreement.
In their words
Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered in Addis Ababa Saturday to celebrate Meskel, filling the capital's Meskel Square with singing, prayer and religious processions before the lighting of a towering bonfire, Demera. ... This year's celebration came as renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal troops and fighters loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, raised fears of another major conflict in the country's north.
03Where they differ
Al Jazeera English gives a concise report that mentions the celebration and the call for peace, briefly noting the renewed fighting in Tigray. Africa News offers a more detailed account, including the location (Addis Ababa), descriptions of the Demera bonfire, quotes from attendees, and specific context about the conflict, such as the TPLF, the Pretoria agreement, and the suspension of flights to Tigray. While both outlets agree on the core event, Africa News provides more depth and specificity, whereas Al Jazeera English focuses on the basic facts and the peace appeal.
Described, not adjudicated. Roundtable does not tell you which account is right.
04Still open
- What is the current status of the fighting in Tigray and the 2022 peace agreement?
- How many people are affected by the renewed hostilities and the suspension of flights?
- Are there any efforts underway to restore peace or mediate the conflict?
- How do the celebrations and calls for peace reflect public sentiment in Ethiopia?
- What is the response of the Ethiopian government and TPLF to the renewed fighting?