Zemene Kassie
Zemene Kassie | |
|---|---|
| ዘመነ ካሴ | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | Haramaya University |
| Title | President of Amhara Region Youth League |
| Political party | Ginbot 7 |
| Movement | Fano |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Fano |
| Years of service | 2018–present |
| Commands | Gojjam Fano |
| Battles / wars | Tigray War War in Amhara |
Zemene Kassie (Amharic: ዘመነ ካሴ) is an Ethiopian militant commander who is the main leader of Amhara militia Fano in the Gojjam faction in Ethiopia.[1][2][3] Since 2023, he is fighting the Ethiopian government force in the War in Amhara.
Born in Merawi, Bahir Dar in North Gojjam Zone, Zemene has worked in various government positions as a professional and manager. In the 2005 general election, he was force to leave Ethiopia for Eritrea to join Ginbot 7 party in order to counter EPRDF government persecution. He then returned to Ethiopia as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, and Zemene has worked in various key positions in Amhara Region. Zemene resigned from the office after the 2019 Amhara Region coup attempt.
Zemene organized the Fano group under the banner of Amhara Popular Force during the Tigray War as the Tigray force entered Amhara Region in Gojjam.
Early life and career
[edit]Zemene was born in Merawi, Bahir Dar in North Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. He acquired his degree at Haramaya University and worked with various government posts as a professional and manager; he was named as President of Amhara Region Youth League.[4] After the 2005 general election, Zemene moved to Eritrea to join the Ginbot 7 party and was the main coordinator of armed struggle against the EPRDF government. When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, Zemene returned to Ethiopia. He was shortly given government positions in Amhara Region administration. Zemene had served as advisor to the Prime Minister Office in the regional issues but later resigned in 2019 following Amhara region coup attempt on 22 June.[4]
Later life
[edit]Zemene gained mainstream recognition after the start of Tigray War in 2020, major commander of Fano militia. During the incursion of Tigrayan forces in Amhara, he established Amhara Popular Force and became the leader. As Tigrayan force failed to enter Gojjam, this unit engaged conflict to counter the incursion in Western Wollo along with the ENDF.[4] Zemene was once imprisoned by Bahir Dar police in allegation of killing of a police officer on 11 September 2022. Mulan Tadese, his legal mentor, confirmed that Zemene was released from Bahir Dar prison on 3 June 2023, where the verdict raised a question on absolving his release about the validity of evidence against him. Zemene was used to hiding from government authority amidst crackdowns against Fano members, who alleged that Fano would brought violence and destabilization in the region. In June 2022, Zemene commented the ongoing situation of Tigray War in an interview that "there are thousands of Fano militants presently under my control, and shortly they will shift into millions. We don’t believe the Amhara police forces or federal army as opposing. But some individuals belong to the Fano who do."[5]
During the War in Amhara, Zemene aligned to Fano unit in Gojjam faction since 2023.
References
[edit]- ^ "Ethiopia -- Addis Standard, Addis Ababa". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Abiy Encounters Fresh Dissent as Former Allies Rebel". Bloomberg.com. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ "Court acquits Fano militia leader Zemene Kase as federal security taskforce claims to squash new insurgency in Amhara region". Addis Standard. 3 August 2023.
- ^ a b c AAA-admin (2024-08-06). "BBC Amharic - Who Are the Leaders of the Fano Groups Operating in Amhara Region?". Amhara Association o. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed faces fresh discord as ex-allies revolt - Dailynewsegypt". 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2023-08-03.