Executed girls (SM)
Borkena
Toronto – The Fano Forces in Gojjam, Amhara region of Ethiopia, have reportedly executed three girls on alleged grounds of “spying for the government.”
The bodies of the victims were found on Tuesday outside of Debre Elias town,East Gojjam, “Tija Goter Megenteya” locality, according to a BBC Amharic report which cited both government authorities and Fano officials. It is unknown when exactly they were executed.
The district officials found the bodies, according to the report, after receiving information from residents. It is indicated that the localities where the bodies were found is part of the area under the control of Fano forces. Again, the report did not specify if Fano forces allowed government authorities to collect the bodies if they are in control of the areas where the bodies were found.
The victims were between 17 and 19 years of age. They were reportedly shot in the head.
Demes Alehegne, peace and security office of the district, has confirmed the execution.
Asres Mare Damtie, member of the central command of the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF), is cited in the BBC Amharic as saying “measure was taken as they were spying for the enemy.”
Authorities in the district say the victims were daily “labourers” in the area and one of them did have a “hearing problem.” Again, the authorities did not specify if the victims are locals to Debre Elias town.
Government officials are cited as making claims that the three girls were raped before they were executed. They bodies were taken to “physicians who took samples[unspecified]” and undertook postmortem care.
Head of the district government communication, Mulat, said the identities of the victims was established using their I.D. cards. They are identified as Muyanesh Teshome (17), Tihtena(Kalkidan) Alehegne (18), and Melkam Tade.
Fano forces in the area allege that the victims received a “mission from the enemy and had been spying for nine months.”
According to the source, Fano alleged that the victims “were roving wherever there is a Fano forces camp [in Gojjam] and sharing information.” Furthermore, Fano in the area is cited as saying they are responsible for loss of life and destruction of property. They are claiming to have established this through “investigation” and the execution is meant to send a message for others.
It also linked them to the loss one of its military unit suffered by sharing information from Denba, Angetam Jantekel and Libanos “kebeles” in the area.
Gojjam is one of the areas of the Amhara region where there has been recurring executions including since the war between Federal government and Fano forces started in August 2023. Human rights organizations have reported extra-judicial executions by government forces several times.
News of Fano forces involvement in executing girls is raising questions. With reports of brutal incidents like this, it remains a question if Fano forces are not risking the massive grassroot support base it purportedly enjoyed over the two and half years in the region.
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