Ethiopia: Meskel festival celebrated in Addis Ababa under the shadow of conflict

Thousands of Orthodox worshippers gathered on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Addis Ababa to celebrate the traditional Meskel festival. Gathered on the eponymous square in the Ethiopian capital, the crowd, dressed in white and carrying torches, lit a large bonfire around 7 p.m., chanting religious songs for several hours in an atmosphere of spiritual fervor, according to an RFI report.

This major gathering nevertheless took place in a climate of widespread anxiety due to the resumption of armed clashes in northern Ethiopia. A recent offensive involving several rebel groups is once again undermining the region's stability, prompting the population to express their distress in the face of this new flare-up of violence.

Amidst the songs and flames, several participants shared their thirst for reconciliation, notably displaying messages calling for harmony. Worshippers present testified to their weariness with the repeated conflicts, hoping that this sacred festival could provide a spiritual truce for families, both in households in the capital and throughout the rest of the country.

This celebration also highlighted strong socio-political concerns. Some citizens, such as a civil servant interviewed during the event, denounced the deterioration of living conditions, the pressure exerted by authorities on the population, and the multiplication of security crises, calling for profound change to restore lasting peace across the entire national territory.

Our perspective

The quest for harmony expressed during Meskel serves as a reminder that African peoples are the primary victims of internal strife. Ethiopia's sovereignty and development require prioritizing inclusive dialogue and listening to citizens, for no nation can build a prosperous future without preserving the lives, justice, and dignity of its children.