Fano Asegid Mekonnen Arrested by Ethiopian Security Forces

Fano Commander Asegid Mekonnen was arrested by the Ethiopian security forces in an operation launched today.

Aseged Mekonnen is one of the three main Fano militia commanders in the North Shewa zone of the Amhara region. Mekataw and Aseged are two leading Fano commanders in Shewa. Eskinder Nega, politician-turned-Fano commander, is the third one.

The operation to arrest Aseged Mekonnen was launched by Ethiopian intelligence agency agents in Kombolcha city. Kombolcha is situated in the South Wollo zone of the Amhara region. However, Ethiopian state media claimed that Fano Asegid Mekonnen surrendered to security forces in Kombolcha city. In a video message aired on Ethiopian state owned news outlets, Asegid said that he had surrendered to security forces because of internal conflict in Fano. He claimed that other Fano groups attacked his fighters and burnt his house in Majete town.

Fano Asegid Mekonnen was mainly operating in North Shewa Amhara. His presence in Kombolcha South Wollo has given rise to different speculations. Was he set up in Komblocha? Kombolcha is not far away from North Shewa, though.

Three security guards of Fano Aseged Mekonnen were also arrested in this operation. Aseged is the first senior Fano commander arrested by the Ethiopian security forces since the start of military operation against Fano in the Amhara region last year.

Earlier this month, Fano groups elected Shewa-based Eskinder Nega as their overall commander. Eskinder’s election was rejected by several Fano commanders. Zemene Kassie from Gojjam, Mihret Wodajo from Wollo and Asegid Mekonnen from Shewa reportedly opposed Eskinder Nega. They refused to recognize Eskinder Nega as their leader.

Last week, fighters affiliated with Shewa Fano commander Mekataw raided Mekonnen’s house. They recorded and released a video from his house, mocking him for his lavish lifestyle.

It seems that the arrest of Fano Asegid Mekonnen is the result of internal divisions in Fano. Earlier this month, General Tefera Mamo, former Amhara special forces chief, joined Fano. It was being expected that the General would unite Fano groups under one central command. But dispute over Eskinder Nega’s election and arrest of Aseged indicate that internal disputes are turning into a challenge for Fano groups.

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