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RESEARCH PRODUCT

State, Politics and the Legitimacy of Religious Peacebuilders

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In this chapter, Steen-Johnsen shows how the failure of religious leaders to challenge the political strategies of the Ethiopian regime affects their legitimacy as spokespersons for peace. Steen-Johnsen shows how this makes the religious leaders appear as accomplices of the state among groups that they try to address with their message of peace. Steen-Johnsen acknowledges that conflicts which appear religious almost always have political dimensions. She shows how retorting to toothless messages of coexistence and appearing alongside government officials, the Ethiopian religious leaders lose legitimacy as spokespersons for peace. Steen-Johnsen suggests considering how relationships between state and religious leaders affect the legitimacy of religious leaders engaged in peacebuilding also in other contexts where these types of activities take place.