Ethiopia court bans breakaway clergy from entering churches

A court in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, has placed an injunction order against breakaway clergy – banning them from entering churches after the main Christian Orthodox Church filed a petition.

The restrictions also include more than 20 bishops appointed by the splinter clergy, the federal police and local police in the Oromia region, where clashes have been reported.

Meanwhile, the government-affiliated rights watchdog Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) accused security forces of using excessive force against followers of the main Church.

The commission said on Friday eight people were killed in Shashemene town in Oromia but warned the number could increase as its investigations continue.