
Ethiopia: Salsay Weyane Tigray – Press Release (17.06.2024)



“Many Fano groups are fighting against the government. Each group operates independently” (…) “We are in discussions to form unity. Once this process is complete, we may reach a decision to negotiate with the government” – Eskinder Nega in his BBC Amharic interview (14.06.2024)
That Fano or the Amhara Popular Front (APF) lack of a joint command is haunting it’s leadership and organized effort to undermine the Federal Government. When there is different leadership with ideology and vastly methods of warfare. That will be a benefit to the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the Prosperity Party, which Fano fights.
Fano under Eskinder Nega has one idea and the Fano under Zemene Kassie has another one. These two should be connected and be in-sync. Especially, if their cause is to stop Abiy’s reign and defeat the government forces. The insurgency and militia needs to organized and fight in coordination. Just so it doesn’t work one way in one part of Amhara region and in the other parts it works totally different. Therefore, they are marginalize themselves and weakening their cause.
Nega and Kassie should get around a table and discuss the matter. That’s for the betterment of themselves. Fano needs unity, if they believe in their cause. As well as beating the former ally and federal government, which it fought together with in the conflict in Tigray region.
That’s what is natural here, as they saw how the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) was fought and made into a negotiation table, which ended up in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Pretoria, South Africa.
If Fano isn’t afraid of that happening with them. They should look at how the ENDF was able to silence Tigray and stop them from advancing. That’s why Fano should look into itself and find unity and fast. If not… the ENDF and the Federal Government will find its’ weakness, use technological advanced weapons its by from its allies to combat the insurgency. Therefore, Fano has to worried about drones and other weaponry that ENDF has. Which the Fano won’t get or be able to import.
We can wonder if Nega and Kassie are in it for themselves, instead of the cause itself. They are in it for a cheap popularity and political mileage. Fano needs unity if it was to ever be able to compete and be able to continue the fighting. That’s if Fano won’t to follow in the foot-steps of Oromo Liberation Front/Army (WBO). OLF/OLA has been able with steady leadership and ideas to work for its cause in Oromia region. Fano needs the same to able to relevant and be choice in Amhara region.
That there is open disagreement between Nega and Kassie is fine, but they need to show face and be in harmony so they have a broader space to combat the ENDF.
We can wonder if FANO will ever be a force or a militia that just fragments the ideals of Amhara further. The warfare and internal conflict will only hurt the region more. Amhara region is now hurting and in pain by their own, and also by the Federal forces attacking it. Therefore, to get peace there is a need for talks and diplomacy. Which are lacking and reasonably so…
When the “local” or regional forces of Fano isn’t unified and working independently… Nega and Kassie needs to talk. They need a sit-down and figure out where to go from here. Especially, if they believe in the cause and what they are fighting for. If not… it seems insincere and for leverage on their own behalf. Peace.

“The House of Peoples’ Representatives is reviewing a bill that could grant investigators the power to intercept communications without judicial approval in cases related to counterfeiting and terrorism financing. This proposed law aims to replace the current Criminal Proceeds of Crime and Terrorism Financing Prevention and Control Act, introducing emergency interception measures with the chief prosecutor’s consent. Aside from communication interception, the bill suggests using various investigative methods, such as monitoring bank accounts, identifying computer systems, and conducting undercover operations” (Addis Standard, 12.06.2024).
The Prosperity Party isn’t known for being subtle or concerned about the dissidents or political opposition. The FDRE under the rule of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has shown it’s despotic means and that’s why people are lingering in jail. Only a few prominent leaders has been released after being arrested in the first place.
Political prisoners are common. People who are vocal and who are participating in politics on the outside of the Prosperity Party. They could easily get into danger and the law could come their way. That is being mentioned and shown from all sorts of opposition parties. Their leaders, activists and mobilizers could easily become targets by a law like this.
The parties which isn’t in the good graces of the government. They would be aimed at with this law. The ones that is on the sideline and isn’t anointed. They will feel this law and so would anyone else speaking ill or communicating in a manner, which the government deems unfit.
This is a dictatorial dream to have a law like this. They can intercept and use digital communications without court orders to “investigate” and “implicate” individuals. That is just saying the state can apprehend and go after someone who they think is violating the law or being a prospect of violating it. Therefore, the “free speech” or “liberty” is just hearsay with this sort of law.
They will use “terrorism” as a concealment because we have seen that been done before. Just like the political act of making the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) as an terrorist organization at one point. That’s what the PP does and we are seeing it again. The House of Federation is only making Abiy more powerful and giving him tools to silence his critics.
This law will be a tool and be a deceptive way of taking advantage of legalities to get “rid off” and “silence” the “troublemakers” and “noisemakers” of the state. That’s what the Prime Minister and his government gets out of this. The ones that is naïve will think this will serve its purpose, but we know how the state already operates and take people into custody.
The rise of political prisoners will rise. The usage of this law will be detrimental, and the results will be shown. It is just bound to have result like that. Peace.

“1) 26 small sized reconnaissance drones purchased from China by the Djibouti regime were delivered to the Somali region in Ethiopia on Monday, June 3, 2024. Half of these drones can operate at night as they are equipped with infrared. Eight Djiboutian army officers received training on operation of these drones in the Presidential Guard camp in Djibouti and they are currently in Ethiopia in Dire Dawa hosted by the Ugaas of Issa, Mustapha Mohamed Ibrahim to train 15 others for 3 weeks to operate the drones.
2) The majority of Somalis engaged since June 1, 2024 in the fight against Afar region in Ethiopia belong to the Ogaden clan from Kenya. They are paid handsomely and recruited from villages, some from remote villages. The massive recruitment of Ogadenis was made possible by the intervention of certain Somali leaders in Kenya, in particular the former Speaker of the Kenyan parliament, Farah Moalim” (Lettre Confidentielle de Djibouti, 08.06.2024).
Since April 2024 there been reports of skirmishes in the Sitti Zone of the Afar Region. This being done by the Issa-Somali militias, which happens to be supported by the Djibouti regime and stationed in the Ogaden (Somali) region.
It is now alleged that all of the training and military equipment is coming from Djibouti. They are helping the mercenaries and fighters who attacks the Afar region. These who are from the Somali origin and elsewhere. The proxy war is now in affect.
The Ogaden and Issa-Somali are trying to spin it as they are victims and defending their lands. While they are initially attacking and trying to take over the pastoral-ize zones of the Afar region. This is shown now.
That the cosmopolitan city of Dire Dawa is used as a hub for the warfare should be warning sign too. This is what the leadership of Djibouti is up too and it’s weakening the neighbour. The proxy war should be condemned and put chills down the spine of the leaders in Addis Ababa. However, Prime Minister Abiy haven’t said a word or ordered anything. It’s like it has his blessing and it’s weakening two regional states. That’s why his accepting it and it takes away the accountability and transparency in the lack of government services on his behalf.
It is also telling when the Afar Regional Special Forces and the locally trained militias are able to contain and stop the Djibouti sponsored armies. The fighters and soldiers from the Somali region who are getting specialized training. Should by all account be inferior to the Afarian. However, they are able to repel the attacks. This is why it’s going on for months on end. It is showing the strength of Semara, but also the will of the Afar people.
This here is all tragic news as the regions are suffering. The proxy-war is just a damning enterprise and a sign of deteriorating borders. As the foreign supported war is able to harm Afar region so much. It shows also the lack of concern from the Federal Government that let this happen. As long as mercenaries and outsiders are trying to force people to flee their land and settle. They are wanting to annex and ensure superiority over it. That’s what is going on and it’s a nightmare.
This here shouldn’t happen, but Guelleh has his war and is in invested in it. He has people participating and doing his bidding within Ethiopia. That should ring the alarm bells in Addis Ababa. However, I doubt it… because they have enough trying to defeat other internal militias to get anywhere. Peace.








