Four major rebel forces operating in the war-torn Amhara region of Ethiopia have announced merger with an aim to launch a coordinated struggle against the federal government forces.
The rebel forces popularly known as “Fano” have been fighting the government since two years now to reverse “existential threats and structural attacks” against the people of Amhara.
The four rebel forces are the Amhara Fano in Gojjam, Amhara Fano in Wollo, Amhara Fano Unity in Gondar and Amhara Fano in Shewa under Desalegn Siasebe and the form a new front Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF).
In a statement AFNF released over the weekend, the core mission of the organization will focus on reversing existential threats and structural attacks.
It is based on “Amhara Nationalism ideology” the statement stated. It also stated that it has a firm stand on the unity of Ethiopia while expressing interest in working with other organizations.
In terms of organizational structure, it is indicated that the organization has a general assembly, central committee, executive committee and Patriots council which is entrusted to the leadership of Mesafint Tesfu, a senior fighters in
However, no single leader is named to lead the organization. The modus operandi will be based on collective leadership. Yet the names of 13 executive committee members are unveiled.
A single leader is not named, partly because to make the organization open to other Fano groups operating in different parts of the Amhara region. Notably, there are still other fano organizations – including Amhara Fano Popular Organization which claims to have its own structure across the region.
There have been reports that the groups who now announced a single organization have been discussing forming a single Fano Organization.
MG/abj/APA