Ethiopia’s Fano militia has rejected government assertions that tens of thousands of its fighters have surrendered in the Amhara region, as fighting continues and doubts grow over the feasibility of upcoming elections.
The Amhara region’s Peace and Security Office said this week that 33,000 Fano fighters had laid down their arms. But senior Fano figure Asres Mare dismissed the claim, casting doubt on the numbers and questioning their accuracy.
The government has also argued that the group is steadily losing public backing. Fano leaders dispute that narrative, saying their presence on the ground remains intact and pointing to ongoing interactions with communities in areas they hold.
For more than two years, federal authorities have maintained that Fano forces are weakening and increasingly unable to sustain operations. However, reports from Amhara indicate continued clashes and a persistent armed presence.
The conflict dates back over three years, when the federal government launched a campaign it said would quickly disarm Fano fighters. Instead, the situation has evolved into a prolonged and fluid confrontation.
Fano elements are still believed to operate across parts of the region, raising concerns among opposition figures over whether Ethiopia’s planned general elections in June can be held in affected areas.
Authorities have also accused Fano of coordinating with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrea—claims the group has repeatedly denied.
Violence continues to be reported across multiple regions in Amhara, underscoring the fragile security environment.
Meanwhile, Amhara diaspora groups have called for demonstrations in cities across Europe and North America to protest the elections, rallying under the slogan: “No Ballots, White Bullets Fly.”
