By Dr. Meseret Tessema
Fano’s Just Cause for Armed Resistance
The Fano movement in Ethiopia is a response to significant injustices and systemic abuses against the Amhara people. The Amhara community faces existential threats, lives under a harsh state of emergency, and suffers from discrimination under a constitutionalized ethnic apartheid system. Civil political struggle has become impossible under the Abiy Ahmed government, with political leaders, activists, and journalists incarcerated. Fano’s armed resistance is justified by ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and atrocities committed by groups like the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF-Shene), the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and current state actors. These aggressions have inflicted severe human and material losses on the Amhara community, prompting the rise of the Fano resistance movement.
Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, and Atrocities
The Amhara people have been targeted by ethnic violence amounting to genocide and ethnic cleansing. The Abiy Ahmed government, OLF-Shene, and TPLF have systematically attacked Amhara communities, leading to widespread atrocities. These include mass killings, torture, rape, mass arrests, and other inhumane acts including drone strikes on civilians, designed to terrorize and displace the Amhara people, including denying them entry to the state capital, Addis Ababa. These actions have resulted in substantial loss of life and property, as well as profound psychological trauma and social disruption.
Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis
Millions of Amharas have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Oromia, Benishangul, Wait-Tegede, and Raya, creating one of Ethiopia’s most severe humanitarian crises. The displaced populations face dire conditions, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care. This displacement disrupts lives and livelihoods, causing long-term instability and suffering.
Systematic Impoverishment Economic Exclusion and Persecution
Over the last three decades, the Amhara region has been deliberately impoverished through government policies that neglect infrastructure development and economic investment. As a result, the Region suffers from some of the poorest infrastructure in the country, including inadequate roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. The census was manipulated to reduce the recorded population of Amhara, leading to a decrease in the federal budget allocation and other local and international financial support. This neglect has trapped the Amhara people in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
Amharas have been systematically excluded from the economic system and face ongoing persecution. Economic opportunities are often denied to them, and they are marginalized in both public and private sectors. This exclusion has compounded the economic difficulties faced by the Amhara community and has contributed to widespread poverty and underdevelopment.
Fano’s Goal of Liberation and Unification
Fano’s objectives go beyond the defense of the Amhara people; they aim to work with all Ethiopians to liberate them from the constraints of ethnic apartheid and to democratize and unify the nation.
Advocating for Individual Rights
Fano distinguishes itself, akin to many developed nations, by advocating for the rights of individual citizens, irrespective of ethnic origin, rather than solely focusing on ethnic group rights. This perspective fosters a more inclusive and equitable society where the rights of all Ethiopians are upheld and safeguarded. Fano’s approach aims to transcend ethnic divisions and foster a cohesive national identity.
Countering Separatist Movements
Unlike other tribal armed groups like the OLF and TPLF, which were formed with the aim of separating their ethnic regions from Ethiopia, Fano’s vision is inclusive. These groups, along with Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party, have pursued agendas that fragment Ethiopia along ethnic lines, exacerbating divisions, inciting conflict, and threatening the unity of the nation. Fano advocates for a united, democratic Ethiopia where the rule of law is upheld and respected.
Demonstrated Discipline and Civilian Protection
Fano has demonstrated remarkable discipline in its operations, maintaining a strong commitment to protecting civilians and public property. In contrast, groups like OLF-Shene and TPLF resort to robbing banks and vandalizing and looting public properties. Meanwhile, Abiy Ahmed and his associates are embroiled in grand corruption, squandering hard-earned money on vanity projects such as the fifteen-billion-dollar palace. Unlike many armed groups and the Abiy’s regime, which often end up harming the very people they claim to defend, Fano, the Amhara public resistance movement, has shown an ability to conduct its activities while minimizing harm to non-combatants. This discipline has earned them respect and support from various segments of the population.
Supporting Fano for Sustainable Peace, Democracy, and Development
To achieve sustainable peace, democracy, and development in Ethiopia, supporting the Fano movement is crucial. The systemic issues confronting the Amhara people are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of ethnic discrimination, ethnic apartheid, and political marginalization that permeates the entire country. Backing Fano represents a significant stride toward rectifying these injustices and constructing a more equitable and unified Ethiopia.
Path to Sustainable Peace
By addressing the root causes of ethnic conflict and striving for inclusive governance, Fano contributes to the foundation of lasting peace. Their commitment to protecting civilians and advocating for individual rights fosters a more inclusive, harmonious, and just society.
Democracy and Development
Fano’s vision aligns with the principles of democracy and development. By promoting individual rights and fighting against ethnic apartheid, they lay the groundwork for a democratic society where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive. Supporting Fano is, therefore, an investment in Ethiopia’s democratic future and its potential for development in the region.
In conclusion, the Fano movement represents a legitimate and necessary response to systemic injustices faced by the Amhara people. Their goals of liberation, unification, and the protection of individual rights align with the broader aspirations for peace, democracy, and development in Ethiopia. Ethiopians and the international community must support the Fano movement to create a more just, inclusive, and prosperous nation, anchoring stability in the Horn of Africa.
Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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In contrast to TPLF and TDF, groups like Fanno and Mahibreseytan (the so-called Mahibrekidusan) resort to robbing Orthodox churches and vandalizing and looting public properties. Fanos burned people alive, slaughtered priests, and looted and sold sacred, valuable articles from Orthodox churches. Fannos are simply Satans and demons in human flesh.
Considering the Amhara ethnic community’s presence in all parts and parcels of Ethiopia, Fano’s objectives go beyond the defense of the Amhara people; they aim to work with all Ethiopians to liberate them from the constraints of ethnic apartheid and to democratize and unify the nation. It is evident that Amhara elites were fueling ethnic division and waging war against non-Amhara Ethiopians with the complete support of Abiy Ahmed and his party, especially against Tigrayans and Oromos, with the intention of invading their lands and exterminating their roots for all eternity. It is still acceptable to see you, Dear Amhara Elites, preaching for unity if you fully and persistently decide to detach yourself from your long-standing satanic incantation and deeds, cling to a sacred sense of unity, and exhibit uncondtional respect for all non-Amhara Ethiopians. Please do not sugarcoat your demonic plans with those beautifully crafted articles hosted by Borkena or Zehbesha terrorist websites.
Prosperity party should dismantle Mahibrekidusan, satanic group, to ensure peace and maintain order as this entity sponsor Fannos, genociders.
In contrast to TPLF and TDF, groups like Fanno and Mahibreseytan (the so-called Mahibrekidusan) resort to robbing Orthodox churches and vandalizing and looting public properties. Fanos burned people alive, slaughtered priests, and looted and sold sacred, valuable articles from Orthodox churches. Fannos are simply Satans and demons in human flesh.
Considering the Amhara ethnic community’s presence in all parts and parcels of Ethiopia, Fano’s objectives go beyond the defense of the Amhara people; they aim to work with all Ethiopians to liberate them from the constraints of ethnic apartheid and to democratize and unify the nation. It is evident that Amhara elites were fueling ethnic division and waging war against non-Amhara Ethiopians with the complete support of Abiy Ahmed and his party, especially against Tigrayans and Oromos, with the intention of invading their lands and exterminating their roots for all eternity. It is still acceptable to see you, Dear Amhara Elites, preaching for unity if you fully and persistently decide to detach yourself from your long-standing satanic incantation and deeds, cling to a sacred sense of unity, and exhibit uncondtional respect for all non-Amhara Ethiopians. Please do not sugarcoat your demonic plans with those beautifully crafted articles hosted by Borkena or Zehbesha terrorist websites.
Prosperity party should dismantle Mahibrekidusan, satanic group, to ensure peace and maintain order as this entity sponsor Fannos, genociders.
What does your article’s use of the phrase “international community support” mean? Does this imply that you, an American citizen of Ethiopian descent, and others who encourage genocide in Ethiopia back Fanno? Nobody is going to stand for robbers,and genociders such as Fannos .
It makes me wonder how many of these young men shown in this photo are still alive? Thinking about some or many of them are not with us in this Good Earth just breaks my heart. May The Good Lord Look After Them!!!