Iran war dampens Easter season for millions in Ethiopia as gas and food prices rise

Millions of Christians in Ethiopia observed Good Friday in Addis Ababa, with celebrations for Easter Sunday dampened by fuel scarcity and rising food prices attributed to the Iran war. Ethiopia's Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar, observing Easter later than many other Christians. Good Friday follows a 55-day fast, Abiy Tsom, involving communal prayers and traditional white attire. High prices have impacted travel and the communal ritual of slaughtering animals. Residents Samuel Teshome and Sirawdink Admaus noted significant price increases for sheep and roosters, which sellers attribute to higher transportation costs from rural areas. Ethiopia faces a fuel shortage, leading some businesspeople to the black market. Minibus taxi driver Tefera Aragaw stated that long waits at gas stations have disrupted his income, anticipating a subdued Easter. The government has implemented cost-saving measures, including work-from-home policies for public servants and prioritizing fuel for essential services.