Gedu Andargachew, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, claims that the war in the Amhara region is a calculated effort to diminish the region’s strength. He posits that the path to peace is unlikely without significant changes from the government or strengthening of the Fano forces. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted education and health in the region, and the international community has largely remained indifferent.
In a recent insight, Gedu Andargachew, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, asserted that the ongoing war in the Amhara region was “deliberately planned to weaken Amhara.” This conflict has persisted for over 18 months, and Gedu, a prominent figure in the establishment of Abiy Ahmed’s government, expressed disappointment that a hoped-for change has devolved into chaos since his departure from the country eight months ago.
In an interview with DW Amharic, Gedu revealed his skepticism regarding the potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He proposed two possible scenarios for the cessation of hostilities: the government recognizing the impracticality of its current approach or the Fano movement gaining further strength and public support, compelling the government to pursue peace.
The war has inflicted severe social and economic damage on the Amhara region, with humanitarian sources reporting over six million students unable to attend school due to the conflict. Drone and artillery strikes have targeted educational and health facilities, corroborated by human rights organizations. Reports detail numerous incidents of extrajudicial killings and sexual violence attributed to government forces.
Following a six-month state of emergency declared in August 2023 aimed at disarming the Fano forces, the conflict has continued for over a year and a half, suggesting a long-term escalation rather than a swift resolution. Current assessments indicate that Fano has significantly increased its military capabilities and now controls over 80 percent of the Amhara region. Despite the gravity of the situation, the international community has largely overlooked the conflict, which has proven as devastating, if not more so, than previous governmental confrontations with the TPLF.
Gedu Andargachew’s statements illuminate the dire circumstances surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, emphasizing its premeditated nature and severe implications for the local population. As the conflict continues without resolution and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, there is an urgent need for both national recognition of the realities on the ground and international attention to this crisis.
Original Source: borkena.com
