A recent shootout between militiamen and police officers in the Ethiopian capital resulted in the deaths of three individuals, shedding light on the country's ongoing regional rebellions that have now reached the city.
The incident took place near Millenium Hall in downtown Addis Ababa as police attempted to apprehend three members of a militia group known as Fano, who were allegedly planning a terrorist attack. Two militia members were killed during the confrontation, while the third was arrested. Tragically, a bystander also lost their life, and two police officers sustained injuries.
Since August, Ethiopia's security forces have been engaged in a fierce conflict with the Fano, an ethno-nationalist group, following a controversial plan to integrate regional forces into the federal military. This rebellion has plunged much of the Amhara region into lawlessness, with one of the most brutal incidents occurring in the town of Merawi, where federal soldiers reportedly killed over 50 civilians in clashes with local Fano members.
Amnesty International released a report detailing the atrocities in Merawi, condemning the indiscriminate violence carried out by federal soldiers against innocent civilians. The unrest in Amhara is just one facet of Ethiopia's broader regional challenges, with separate ethnic-based insurgencies also unfolding in Oromia and other regions.
While Addis Ababa has historically been shielded from such conflicts, the recent shootout underscores the growing reach of regional rebellions. The country has witnessed violence in various regions, including Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Somali, and the devastating Tigray conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives between 2020 and 2022.
Despite initially aligning with the federal government during the Tigray war, the Fano's relationship soured over time, leading to internal tensions. The recent shooting of a prominent opposition figure in Meki, Oromia, has further heightened concerns, prompting calls from the international community for a thorough investigation into the incident.
