CAIRO — The Ethiopian and Egyptian Coptic churches share close historical relations. Their ties have prompted some in Egypt to try to capitalize on the Coptic community in Ethiopia and the strong relations between these two churches to work toward solving the Renaissance Dam crisis.
Bishop Beeman, the coordinator of relations between the Ethiopian and Egyptian Coptic churches and chairman of the crisis management committee at the Coptic Holy Synod, told Al-Monitor that the church plays an indirect role in the Renaissance Dam crisis, explaining that the Ethiopian people will not allow Egypt to be harmed. Beeman talked about the churches attacked and burned after security forces broke up sit-ins being held by supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi at the Rabia al-Adawiya and Nahda Squares. He also addressed the latest efforts deployed by the armed forces to rebuild or renovate these churches. The text of the interview follows:
