Ethiocross Blog

Ethiocross By G. Ayalew :- Every once in a while, there arises an individual that rises up so high in the national as well as the international political theater and falls so fast into the pit. Obviously, confusion and despair take over the state of mind, consequently creating a total empty vacuum in the heart of hearts.

Enter Tamrat Layne, former prime minister of Ethiopia: After his fall from grace and conviction of serious crimes of corruption and abuse of power, Mr. Layne was released having served 12 years out of the eighteen years sentence imposed by the highest court of the land, due to good behavior. His release captivated Ethiopians within as well as the Diaspora who keep close eyes on Ethiopia’s politics, more so for his newly formed faith in Christ than the leniency he was granted. Many wondered if a second round of political ambition is in the foreseeable future.

For sure, those with these questions in their minds got their answers when the former prime minister gave a 90 minute attestation at the International Ethiopian Evangelical Church, (I.E.E.C) Washington, D.C on March 15, 2009.

Photo Ethiocross:- Ex- P.M.Tamrat Layne with his wife at D.C Ethiopian Evangelical Church

The I.E.E.C located at 7930 Eastern Avenue, N.W. Washington was full to capacity. In fact, there were so many standing, the younger attendees volunteered to vacate their seats for the adults. After a short introduction by the senior pastor Hanfere Aligaz, the congregation erupted giving him a standing ovation while the founder of the former Ethiopian People Democratic Movement and one time prime minister and latter defense minister of Ethiopia walked up to the pulpit.

Silence abruptly preceded the eruption. Taking short paces, Mr. Tamrat Layne from the get go revealed to some friends and/or some possible foes that no one (including himself) had the wildest supposition that he would be standing there as one who was humbled by the experiences of his transformation at the least, from an atheist, to a confused soul, to a believer in Christ.

Recalling his position in government that translated into enormous honor and power, it appeared there is no regret for the predicament he was in as he recited the verse Haggai 2:9 which read “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts.

Photo Ethiocross:- Ex- P.M.Tamrat Layne speaking at D.C Ethiopian Evangelical Church

From an atheist, to a confused soul, to a believer in Christ

As a staunch devotee to the communist principles, he acknowledged that Jesus was just another philosopher, like Aristotle or Plato, until someone handed him a leaflet which led to a subsequent surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.

And surrender has noticeably filled up the vacuum he admittedly had carried around for a while. Mr. Tamrat Layne, apparently aware of some doubtful audience that knew of his past, confessed of his likeness to Paul, as the disciple had enunciated his own character in 1st Timothy 1:12-17.

Sincere apology not common

“For those of you that I may have offended in anyway please forgive me as I have surely forgiven those that have wronged me” Mr. Layne pleaded. This sincere apology not common to come from former powerful leaders, was followed by an admonition that all Ethiopians could and should come together with the comprehension that it is acceptable to have different opinions on issues. With that in mind “our level of tolerance must ascend to the next level and our forgiveness to limitless confines” he emphatically asserted.

In light of the many years of ideological differences Ethiopians have had regarding solutions to their nation’s political agendas, the ‘Diaspora groups created by conflict tend to compromise less and therefore reinforce and exacerbate conflicts’ protractedness’. And this reason is enough to warrant fundamental change of approach to business as usual.

Is Evangelical Faith the future of Ethiopia and Ethiopians?

Considering the number of individuals in the Evangelical faith who were and/or are in public service or aspire to be in the future, declarations similar to Mr. Tamrat Layne’s speak volumes concerning the need to abdicate the outdated notion of self-serving political stance and begin looking at biblical principles designed for governance. With Evangelicals growing from 10% fifteen years ago to 19% of the population now, what the future holds for Ethiopia and Ethiopians is promising to say the least.

Source:- Ethiocross