By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In the contested Wolkait province of northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia, a newly trained peacekeeping force has completed its mission and graduated after weeks of intensive preparation. This training is part of an ongoing effort to maintain peace and stability while affirming the identity of local communities amidst decades-long tensions over regional boundaries, the Amhara Media Corporation reported.
At a recent ceremony, Colonel Demeke Zewdu, a former army officer and now Deputy Administrator of the Welkait, Tegede, Setit Humera Zone, addressed the graduates. A key figure in the Wolkait identity struggle, Colonel Demeke declared, “We say we are Amharas for a reason. The Amhara people do not claim what isn’t theirs. What we are affirming is our own identity, and we have organized and trained ourselves to protect it.” He emphasized the legitimate and constitutional right of the people of Wolkait-Tegede to assert their identity, stressing that this pursuit must be achieved through lawful means. “Many have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and identity,” he stated. “They died with dignity, declaring, ‘We are Amharas.’ We are their children. And for the identity our parents sacrificed for, we must always stand firm.”
Officials say the region’s newly graduated forces represent more than a local security initiative; they symbolize resilience, development, and a people’s long-standing claim to self-determination. “This is a force of stability and progress,” Colonel Demeke noted. “It enjoys unwavering support from our people. And through it, we will continue our cooperation with federal security institutions.” Local leaders echoed this support. Getachew Mulugeta, Deputy Head of Peace and Security in the zone, highlighted the community’s expectations: “Our people want to go about their lives in peace—to leave home and return safely. They believe in us. And for their trust, we are willing to make sacrifices, even up to the level of martyrdom.” Getachew also warned of unspecified threats “within and outside the region” aiming to derail the legal process for Wolkait’s recognition, stressing the need for vigilance against destabilizing forces. Atalay Tafera, Chief Administrator of Qabtiya Woreda, praised the graduating forces for their perseverance, saying, “You’ve overcome immense challenges and proven yourselves to be a force for peace. Congratulations on your successful mission.”
A Region Rooted in History, Entangled in Dispute
The identity conflict surrounding Wolkait is deeply rooted in Ethiopia’s complex history of territorial changes. Scholarly accounts, historic maps, and local oral histories indicate centuries of cultural, political, and linguistic ties between Wolkait and the rest of Gondar. Nineteenth-century Italian colonial maps and post-liberation administrative divisions reaffirmed the area as part of Begemedir. However, following the TPLF’s rise to power in 1991, the region was incorporated into the newly formed Tigray Region, sparking ongoing disputes. Amhara nationalists assert that this annexation was unconstitutional and imposed, while some Tigrayan elites argue it was a rightful reintegration of historically Tigrayan lands. Demographics and maps have been central to the controversy, with both sides citing evidence to support their claims.
The Face of the Struggle
Colonel Demeke Zewdu has become a prominent figure in the Wolkait movement. A founding member of the Welkait Committee, he has long advocated for the district’s official recognition as part of the Amhara Region. His 2016 imprisonment by the TPLF-dominated government and subsequent release in 2018 further solidified his role as a symbol of resistance and a rallying figure for the Amhara cause. As tensions in northern Ethiopia continue to evolve, the situation in Wolkait remains a flashpoint in the country’s larger struggle over ethnic federalism, identity, and historical justice. For now, local leaders emphasize that the focus remains on peace, grounded in history, fueled by sacrifice, and driven by a deep sense of belonging.
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