By Teklu Abate
As a Prelude
The federal government of Ethiopia’s war for “disarmament” in the Amhara region has become much more complicated and devastating than everyone’s expectation and imagination. The war is raging in the entirety of Gojjam, Gondar, Wollo, and Shewa. Even though the government has deployed heavy weaponry, including drones and fighter jets, it has not been able to check Fano’s progress. It appears that the war has challenged the very integrity and existence of the regional and federal governments, let alone defeating Fano in a short period of time as the government stipulated. It has also seriously put into question the moral discretion and integrity of the defense forces. The Amhara regional government has technically been effectively dissolved at some point. Even if it has been reportedly restructured itself lately, it is seen much like a lame duck who cannot leave its shore, Bahir Dar.
Consequently, the Prosperity Party (PP) in the Amhara region is not only highly morally broken, but its very political existence has entered a situation where it cannot be maintained. It is despised and humiliated even in the eyes of its other PP counterparts elsewhere in Ethiopia.
Overall, the PP government (mind the perfect juxtaposition of government and ruling party in Ethiopia) seems to painfully realize that their existence is shaken from the core. The most pressing question at the moment is ,as a result, linked to predicting the winner of the war. The warring parties keep saying that the victory is all theirs. In your opinion, who will win the war: Fano or the government? And why or how?
The purpose of this piece is to inspire all Ethiopians, regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliations, to focus more on critical issues instead of being totally consumed by the daily events unfolding in the battlefields. This commentary points out the need for considering the best available options while anticipating the end of the war. It is not the purpose of this commentary to support one party and criticize the other although I understand and support the cause of the Amhara people who are under constant state of persecution. It briefly examines the current events in an unbiased but not neutral way and suggests a viable way forward for Ethiopia. It also encourages everyone to share their points of view with responsibility and integrity.
To start with, let us answer at some level this question, who can win the war? Here, victory or defeat must primarily be seen from the points of views of the warring parties. When the government haphazardly declared the war, the objective it set out was to “disarm” the special forces in the Amhara region and establish peace. On the other hand, Fano has claimed that it has faced an existential threat and it is fighting for the very survival of the Amhara people. The ultimate goal is to overthrow the government and build a country that treats everyone squarely. Both parties have repeatedly stated that they will surely achieve their goals within a short period of time. But, when we look into the matter more closely, we may have a different realization.
Will the government win?
In order to answer this question at some level, let’s briefly look at the opportunities and threats for Fano and the government as these could provide the needed circumstantial and logical evidence to tentatively answer the question.
• The rationale behind starting the war is not convincing to the many- there is a widespread belief that disarmament is the pretext used to accomplish a much higher purpose
• Even after the start of the war, the brutal atrocities committed by the defense forces in the Amhara region are almost equal to the atrocities committed by the TPLF in the same region two years ago
• Although modern weapons are deployed by air and land, there is no economic, moral and psychological capacity from the government side to fight sustainably; mind that the economy is in its worst shape since PP’s founding
• The credibility and legitimacy of the government has been seriously questioned at home and abroad and among the international community, including in the high tables of the UN
• Other militants, such as Shene, are further weakening the government, militarily and politically
• Other troubled regions such as Somalia, Gurage, Afar etc. may share Fano’s agenda • For Fano, there is nothing left to lose, or to be excited about, so they will keep fighting until their last breath regardless of logistics
• The atrocities committed against the Amhara Ethiopians and similar events recorded in history allowed Fano to invoke patriotism, which is much more powerful than heavy weaponry
• Although the government does not want to accept it, Fano has been getting public support in the Amhara region as well as in other regions, including Ethiopians in the diaspora
• Therefore, the Fano movement has become a spirit, a discourse for liberation and independence
• The moral superiority that Fano shows (it holds captives in a humane manner, does not rob, maintains peace in the areas they control) attracted the attention and admiration of many
• Fano has an organization and leadership which is non-hierarchical (even after it created a national front recently) as a result it is hard to be traced and attacked
• Fano knows the landscapes across the Amhara region like their palms and hence regularly surprises and confuses the defense forces
• Although it is never comparable to the armor the defense forces amass, Fano incorporates powerful armor in several ways
• The disintegration of the Amhara government and its PP party are testimonies that Fano could accomplish its mission on a limited scale
All of the aforementioned points are great opportunities for Fano but threats or risk factors for the government. Logically, the government cannot win the war. There is no Fano leader or group that the government can destroy or defeat, for Fano has become a public discourse and spirit for emancipation. Discourses and thoughts can only be overcome or won by more appealing and salient discourses and thoughts, and not by or through violence or the use of force. This is the bitter reality the government needs to swallow.
On the other hand, it is difficult to dare to say that Fano will totally and convincingly win the war. As seen so far, Fano has demonstrated that it can control most of the Amhara region. It may be able to establish its own administrative structures there. But this is more of a tactical than strategic gesture or accomplishment, especially when one considers the ultimate purpose for which Fano started armed resistance. It is absolutely impossible to ensure the existence of the Amhara people and to establish peace by holding only a portion of even all of the Amhara region. Fano can achieve its goal when the federal government or its ideology is completely defeated, or when it voluntarily returns power to the people, or when a genuine arbitration is made between the warring parties.
It is not comfortable to think that the government will take the second or third option when we examine the true essence of EPRDF and its offspring PP; they both are born to cling to power to death. On the other hand, in order to bring the government to its knees by force, the cooperation and support of other regions of Ethiopia are crucial. In order to cross Oromia region from wherever point and reach Arat Killo, Fano will have to fight against at least the full force of the military, the Oromia special forces and militia as well as cadres and their entourage. It requires a large amount of weaponry, manpower and reliable and sustainable logistics. Even within the abundances of all these, a horrible carnage, destruction and social crisis may prevail. We could end up in a civil war that could go on for years. In any case, the effective conclusion of the war depends significantly on the cooperation and approval of Oromia and other regions of Ethiopia. There is thus much more at stake to real victory than the military and political capabilities of Fano.
When we take into consideration all the issues discussed above, we realize a scenario- to accept bitter reality- that there will not be an absolute winner in the war. What is certain is that the government may win some battles but will not win the war, for Fano’s agenda has become the agenda of every justice-seeking Ethiopian. On the other hand, Fano’s victory will probably be realized only in the Amhara region which is not enough to answer Fano’s existential question. Both the government’s defeat and Fano’s incomplete-victory will come with great sacrifices to human life and destruction to the socio-cultural capital accumulated over thousands of years and to the already plummeting economy which will put the future of our country into question. Therefore, a better way out of this abyss needs to be sought after.
Is there a better alternative?
Our country can quickly get out of the mire it has entered not through or by the barrels of guns but only through thought-based approaches, for the fundamental problem of our country primarily originates from the political ideology- ethnic tribalism. There should be a genuine national dialogue and negotiation that will allow an immediate ceasefire and support radical change. However, the following points should be considered to make the process completely reliable and sustainable.
• The national defense forces must leave all Amhara areas unconditionally and immediately
• The defence forces should acknowledge the atrocities they have committed in the Amhara region, apologize to the people, and give compensation and justice to the victims
• A transitional administration organized only by the people should be established in the Amhara region
• The federal government should apologize for the horrible killings of innocent Amharas and other Ethiopians in Oromia and other regions in the last six years, and apologize for not being competent and responsible to protect its citizens
• The main source of the trouble our country is in is the constitution that implicitly and oftentime overtly preaches racism and tribalism; so a national committee should be formed to amend it (not the likes of the current national dialogue commission as there are issues linked to its integrity and credibility are already raised)
• Until a new constitution is ratified, political organization based on ethnicity and religion must be outlawed
• Let a genuine federal system be established that gives real freedom to all regions to govern themselves
• Restrict the right of the government to make decisions on any major national issue until a revised constitution is approved by the people
• Hold a national election after the constitution is approved by the people
Concluding remarks
There is no Fano leader or group that the government can annihilate. Fano’s agenda is inextricably planted in the minds and hearts of the oppressed people. It is impossible to win against the people. It is the only way for the government to swallow this bitter truth and fulfill its responsibility as a government. Emperor Haile Selassie faced almost the same situation and he did not take advantage of the opportunity and ended up dying in disgrace. Killer Mengstu also faced the same situation and squandered the opportunity. The father of PP, EPRDF, did not travel the path of peace either. While bragging about its great armed forces and the fake double-digit economic growth, it was toppled down by popular revolt. Now, the same exact situation surfaces agan in front of its offspring, the PP. Only time will tell for sure if PP follows suit to its predecessors or makes that hard but worthwhile decision of abandoning governance by guns and start governing by the power and quality of ideas.
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Note: This article is an updated version of my article published in November 2023 at Zehabesha. For constructive, responsible comments, feel free to reach me at teklu.abate@gmail.com
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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