May 24, 2025

Fano Welcomes U.S. Statement, Urges Action

Ethiofact – The Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) has issued an official response to the recent statement by the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa, welcoming U.S. engagement while urging stronger international recognition of what it describes as a genocide against the Amhara people.

In a detailed communiqué released Friday, AFNF leadership thanked Ambassador Ervin Massinga for acknowledging the humanitarian toll of Ethiopia’s ongoing internal conflicts. The AFNF expressed alignment with the U.S. Embassy’s call for lasting solutions, emphasizing the need for immediate cessation of drone strikes and other forms of violence they say are disproportionately affecting civilians in the Amhara Region.

“We commend the Embassy’s reaffirmation of the need for lasting solutions that prioritize safety, dignity, and well-being,” the statement read. “These are concerns AFNF shares deeply.”

However, the group also voiced disappointment that the U.S. did not explicitly characterize what it calls “systematic and targeted violence against the Amhara population” as genocide. Citing drone strikes, forced displacement, and ethnic profiling, the AFNF asserted that such acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“The statement might have gone further in addressing the specific character and severity of atrocities… The actions of the Abiy regime… form part of a longstanding pattern of genocide,” the AFNF said, naming several contested territories as flashpoints, including Welkait, Raya, Metekel, and Dera.

Legitimacy of Resistance and Peace Preconditions

The AFNF defended its decision to take up arms, describing its movement as a last resort following years of peaceful protest that, it claims, were met with lethal state violence.

“What objective could be more legitimate or more realistic than the survival of a people under threat of extermination?” the group asked rhetorically, pushing back on any characterization of Fano as lacking clear or peaceful goals.

Despite its combative stance, the AFNF reaffirmed its commitment to peace, advocating for a transitional political process and inclusive national dialogue. The group called on the United States to use diplomatic tools, including targeted sanctions, to support a credible peace process.

Key Demands for Peace Talks

The AFNF outlined a list of preconditions it believes are essential for building trust and achieving peace in the Amhara Region. These include:

Immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of federal forces;
Full access for international human rights investigators;
Release of all Amhara political prisoners and Fano-affiliated detainees;
Restoration of basic services such as telecommunications, electricity, and humanitarian aid;
Formal recognition of the Amhara Genocide;
Resolution of long-disputed territorial issues and repatriation of displaced Amhara people.

The statement closed by reiterating AFNF’s commitment to international humanitarian and human rights laws, asserting that its members have acted with discipline and restraint throughout the conflict.

“We remain open to constructive engagement with the United States government and other international partners,” the group concluded.