Newly Formed Amhara Fano National Force Faces Internal Rift

Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) today issued a statement announcing key organizational decisions. However, one major faction in AFNF immediately distanced itself from the statement.

Around 2 years ago, Fano militias launched an armed resistance movement against security forces in the Amhara region. The militias were loosely organized on district and kebele level. The difficult task of bringing all Fano groups under one regional command saw progress when AFNF was formed recently.

In May this year, Fano groups from Gojjam, Gondar, Shewa and Wollo united under the banner of Amhara Fano National Force. However Amhara Fano People’s Organization (AFPO), led by former politician Eskinder Nega and Shewa Fano commander Mekataw, refused to join AFNF. AFNF and AFPO have been involved in intense clashes in Shewa zone in recent weeks.

The newly formed AFNF suffered its first setback today when Gojjam Fano leader Asres Mare Damte distanced Gojjam Fano from today’s statement issued by AFNF

Amhara Fano National Force today announced the formation of a Public and Foreign Policy Committee, an Administrative Committee and a Military Command Committee. It renamed four Fano commands as Belay Command (operating in North Amhara and previously working as Fano Unity in Gondar), Tewodros Command ( operating in West Amhara and previously working as Amhara Fano in Gojjam), Minilik Command (operating in East Amhara and previously working as Amhara Fano in Wollo) and Asaminew Command ( operating in South Amhara and previously working as Amhara Fano in Shewa).

Asres Mare Damte, a senior Fano commander in Gojjam, through a social media post, said that Gojjam Fano did not know about the decisions announced through today’s statement. The statement by Gojjam Fano commander discloses the internal intra AFNF rifts.

Amhara Fano National Force is led by a committee of 13 commanders. The 13 member central committee, when established in May this year, could not agree on one name to lead the organization. Reportedly, Gojjam Fano led by Zemene Kassie and Asres Mare Damte wants to lead all Fano groups. The central committee consists of following 13 commanders from Gojjam Shewa, Wollo and Gondar:

1. Zemene Kassie  2. Habte Woldie  3. Mihret Wedajo  4. Desalegn Siyasebshewa 5. Asres Mare  6. Henok Adissie  7. Teferra Mammo  8. Zinabu Lingerew 9. Dirsan Berhanie  10. Ascalew Belete 11. Samuel Baleidel  12. Markew Mengistie 13. Akeber Simegnew

Ethiopia Rejects Offer by Somalia to Co-Manage a Port

Ethiopian Prime Minister Blames Businessmen for Armed Conflicts