Religion strikes again. According to reports, students at an Ethiopia religious college are protesting the close ties between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the government, alleged restrictions on their speech — and Beyonce's recent meeting with their patriarch.
26-year-old R&B singer Beyonce met with the Ethiopian patriarch, Abune Paulos, before performing in skimpy sequined outfits as part of the celebration of the country's millennium.
Students were upset and reportedly went on hunger strike because of the closeness of the church to the ruling party and restrictions on their speech, but were also upset over the Beyonce-Paulos meeting.
Authorities were trying to persuade the students to end their hunger strike.
The Orthodox Church is Ethiopia's largest, claiming 45 million out of 77 million citizens as members. It is considered to be very close to the government.
College official Bedilu Assefa confirmed that students had complained, but said: "What they have done is they have raised some administrative issues regarding food and clinical facilities. Nobody has protested against Beyonce. Never."
Not all the protesters were concerned with the singer, or even politics. Student Kinetibebeu Assefa, 25, said that he had joined the protest to demand an improvement in cafeteria food and the firing of some college officials.
Isn't refusing to eat an oxymoron in Africa?
Please get your facts right
Isn't refusing to eat an oxymoron in Africa?
Just because most Africa is poor, it doesn't mean there is no food. This kids want their messages out there and I think it worked. So may be now they can eat their unhealthy BigMac!