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Joint Press Statement from Amhara Fano Leaders
September 1, 2024 (Nehase 26, 2016 EC)
A Statement Issued by Amhara Fano regarding Matters of Formal Education
For years the Amhara people have faced life-threatening danger. It has now been over one year since official war was declared against the Amhara people following the call made by the Prosperity Party. The Prosperity Party, which has proven to be detrimental to both public safety and national integrity, has on one hand, waged an official war to subjugate the people through aggression, while on the other hand, it continues to pretend to act with governmental responsibility.
Based on this, the ruling regime has deemed that, despite the existential war being waged in the Amhara Region, they may proceed with registration for formal education as if normal conditions prevail in the region. Indeed, the Amhara people are well aware that the regime, which has turned all the universities in the region into supply depots for the invading army, lacks the moral standing to genuinely consider the importance of education.
The fact that enemy forces have turned primary and secondary schools, as well as technical and vocational institutions in their vicinity, into military camps —destroying students' records, computers, and other educational materials— clearly demonstrates the Prosperity Party's utter disregard for the future. The regime's attempt to present itself as forward-thinking while committing these acts reveals its true contempt for the public.
It would have been appropriate for the Prosperity Party to address the people's demands by removing the occupying forces and allowing unrestricted access to education and other essential social services. However, to assume that a regime that massacres innocent civilians, including young children, in every area of the region cares about education for its citizens is nothing but self- deception.
The fact that the teaching and learning process cannot be effectively conducted is well understood by this brutal regime. It should be understood that their actions are driven by a desire to continue their usual politics of manipulation and to falsely present an image of peace where none exists.
The announcement of starting education is merely a fabricated story aimed at fulfilling the prerequisites set by organizations like the World Bank and aid agencies, in order to take the funding for social services provided by these organizations and diverting them towards fueling the war.
While it is well known that the Amhara people's human and democratic rights have been stripped away and their very existence put at risk the moment the Amhara Region was handed over to the invading military forces, raising the issue of education in such a critical situation is nothing more than a blatant deception.
It is clear that in a situation where citizens cannot even leave their homes and return safely, thinking about teaching and learning is simply unfeasible. Therefore, while the invading regime forces have continued to use civilians as human shields and engage in massacres, we warn that listening to the regime’s new round of lies about starting school will expose citizens to unnecessary danger and put their lives at risk.
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