An Amhara Fano commander has been arrested by the Ethiopian security forces. Colonel Getahun was arrested in Gojjam zone of the Amhara region.
Since last year, the Ethiopian security forces have been conducting a military operation against Fano militias in the Amhara region. Fano militias are loosely organized armed groups mainly consisting of Amhara fighters.
Fano Commander Getahun was arrested in the Gojjam zone which is one of the strongholds of Fano groups. The security forces have released pictures showing the Fano commander in custody.
Interestingly, Getahun led Fano fighters clashed with Zemene Kassie Fano fighters in Gojjam this week. Zemene Kassie is one of most senior Fano commanders in Gojjam. Two audio calls of Getahun were released last week. He was heard calling for support from Amhara people as Zemene Kassie fighters surrounded him. Later it was heard that Getahun fighters surrendered and Zemene Kassie group took control of the area.
It seems that Getahun’s arrest or surrender is the outcome of internal divisions in Fano. Last month, another major Fano commander was arrested. Asegid Mekonnen was arrested by security forces in Kombolcha city. That arrest was also linked to internal power struggle between Fano groups in Shewa.
On Wednesday, the Ethiopian Prime Minister announced that his government was in secret talks with some Fano groups. No Fano spokesperson has confirmed the Prime Minister’s claim so far.
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