Isael Ze Etiel
It has been a year since Abiy’s regime claimed they would destroy Fano within a week, but the reality on the ground shows something entirely different. The Fano struggle has grown stronger, with fighters engaging the government using their own weapons and organizing from small guerrilla fighters to larger units, controlling one kebele to almost 75-80 percent of kebeles in the Amhara region. The Fano organization has become more complex and strategically robust; through their experiences in achieving their missions, they have advanced their techniques and developed numerous military leaders tested in the battlefield. This situation has weakened the regional government and undermined the federal government more than ever.
The Fano struggle is a people’s struggle for existence, real democracy, and justice for the people of Amhara, as well as for all citizens of the country. Abiy’s regime, which acts as the guardian of his throne, has committed war crimes daily, pushing more people to join Fano and fight back against the regime. The populace has become the eyes and ears of Fano forces, giving them an upper hand over the government.
Moreover, the Fano struggle receives support not only in the Amhara region but also in every corner of the country, as many believe that Fano brings justice and freedom. Abiy’s regime has caused suffering across the nation—socially, economically, and politically. The government has been unable to maintain law and order, making peaceful days seem unimaginable and impossible. Truck drivers are killed daily, with no one paying attention (more than 170 drivers have been killed by unknown militants along the Ethiopia-Djibouti road in just one year). The Ethiopian truck drivers have started a new movement with the slogan: ‘‘በሹፌሮች ላይ የሚፈፀም እገታ ግድያ ይቁም። ግድያን በዝምታ መመልከት አባሪነት ነው!!’’ This translates to ‛Stop the killing of drivers. Watching a murder in silence is complicity!!’
This movement highlights their grievances and the government’s lack of commitment to address the issue and take action to prevent violence against drivers. The drivers who have been killed by militia groups leave behind families who depend on them, resulting in suffering for their loved ones. There is no accountability for the deaths of these drivers.
Many drivers in the country fear for their safety on the roads, believing they may share the same fate as those who have been killed. They are requesting security while serving the nation and need their voices to be heard by both the government and the international community.
Similarly, people are kidnapped daily, with families being extorted for ransom; some are even killed by their captors. Families of the kidnapped engage in crowdfunding to pay the kidnappers. The paradox is that these families often wire money to the kidnappers through legal channels or bank transfers, which the government has 100 percent control over.
Kidnappings occur in the same areas, with different attempts happening repeatedly. The government-owned media has little to say about these kidnappings; instead, they misinform the public by providing false information and government propaganda. Their focus is solely on building the government’s image, neglecting the public’s interest. While government officials lie to the media, families of the kidnapped cry out for help, but no one listens. Abiy’s government shows no concern for its people, acting as if nothing is happening, leaving them behind while continuing to flourish in Addis Ababa and build fancy palaces.
Life in the cities has become tough for urban dwellers. Inflation rates continue to rise, prices increase daily, and government security forces abuse citizens based on ethnic profiles and corruption. Bureaucracy is rife with nepotism and ethnic favoritism; houses are demolished to “clean” the city of the poor and target specific ethnic groups. Crime is rampant, yet the government is unable to control these issues, making urban life increasingly difficult.
Addis Ababa has become the last stronghold where Abiy’s regime maintains full control compared to other regions of the country. He operates as both Prime Minister and de facto mayor of Addis Ababa, using his security apparatus to oppress the city’s residents. To prevent any organized opposition against his government, he distracts the people by setting various agendas.
Abiy’s regime further divides the population by organizing a paramilitary group called ‘Ye Selam Arebgna’ or ‘Peace Army.’ This group is intended to sow distrust among the public, ensuring that citizens remain wary of one another, while simultaneously protecting the regime from any civil disobedience or threats.
Currently, in Addis Ababa, due to new financial policies and a floating exchange rate, prices for goods are rising hourly, leaving many poor individuals unable to afford even one meal a day. Meanwhile, the government focuses on luxury projects that yield minimal economic returns and do not create job opportunities for youth in the cities.
In this environment, those who believe that regime change is critical are joining Fano and the Oromo Liberation Army to forcibly overthrow Abiy’s regime. The remaining population is waiting for the right moment to engage in civil disobedience and bring those criminal officials of the regime to justice. A combined struggle against the regime will be more effective than any singular effort; this is why we call it a hybrid struggle—a mix of the best and most effective tactics from both types of resistance to expedite regime change and achieve tangible results.
Historically, the international community tends to side with the winning group, so it is essential for the people to seize every opportunity to achieve their goals of freedom and justice. Urban residents must organize themselves to fight back against the dictator and his regime, employing various methods of civil disobedience that are directly related to and integrated with Fano and other groups to accelerate their objectives. The diaspora also plays a significant role in advocacy, positively influencing diplomatic efforts and promoting the struggle to gain support from the international community and secure financial assistance.
This is the right time to come together and fight back against the regime, advocating for a democratic government that will ensure fair and free elections, accountability, and transparency for its people. Every Ethiopian should unite and work toward this common goal.
Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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