A Fano Militia and Government Reach Ceasefire Deal

A Fano militia and government have reached a ceasefire deal in a woreda in the North Wollo zone of the Amhara region. Since last year, Fano militias have been fighting the Ethiopian security forces. The militias are in control of large parts of the region.

According to local sources, the two parties agreed on cessation of hostilities in Bugna woreda. The woreda is located in the North Wollo zone of the Amhara region. This week, Bugna woreda health officials warned that around 10,000 people are in dire need of humanitarian aid, and thousands could die if aid did not reach the woreda. The woreda officials attributed the humanitarian catastrophe to drought and armed conflict.

Security forces have been trying to retake control of Bugna woreda which was being held by Fano militia. Continuous fighting in the area made it impossible for aid organizations to deliver aid to the people in need.

After the warning issued by woreda officials, local religious elders mediated between Fano militia and security forces, which agreed to stop fighting. Aid organizations yesterday gained access to the area after the warring parties implemented ceasefire. This is the first ceasefire deal between Fano and government in the Amhara region. Reportedly Wollo group of Fano militias reached this deal with the government. Wollo Fano is led by commander Mihret Wodaju and Colonel Fantahun Muhabaw.

US embassy in Addis Ababa, in a statement yesterday, expressed concern at the humanitarian crisis in Bugna woreda, vowing to help the people in need.

The armed conflict in Amhara has caused severe humanitarian crisis. With businesses and schools closed, people’s everyday lives have been affected. On Wednesday December 21, thousands of people took out rallies across the region calling for peace and end to war.

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