Fano Commander Arbegna Mihret (Miré) Wedajo condemns deadly attack on female student at Woldia University
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December 29th, 2025
On December 25, 2025, Arbegna Mihret (Miré) Wedajo, commander of the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) East Amhara Sector – Menelik Command, issued a video statement addressing current developments in the region. In an excerpt taken from the statement Arbegna Miré condemns the recent rape and murder of a female student on the campus of Woldia University in Woldia city (North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia) where Federal Police and ENDF soldiers were encamped. Arbegna Miré further accuses local authorities of a deliberate cover-up including suppression of students on the campus which protested the incident. In the statement, Arbegna Miré also addressed the recent involvement of continental institutions in a false regional peace agreement.
Speech Transcript:
Regarding the recent incident in Woldia University, we believe the entire university faculty is aware of the details by now.
Resumption of schooling was announced at Woldia University, and while the national army and federal police were stationed at the university, a young girl was raped and killed in an area called Mariam-Ber where they were stationed.
She was gang raped by three or four men and her body was discovered with her neck severed.
Her body was subsequently taken to hospital for examination but medical authorities were silent about the incident.
We are ashamed that university authorities deemed the incident unworthy of sharing with the public and instead chose to cover it up.
As leaders of such a large institution and as parents of daughters, you opted to prevent students from protesting based on orders you were given [by the regime].
It is widely known that you even threatened students to cover up this incident. You must realize justice will reach all those who have been complicit in such acts in due time.
While those of us [on the frontlines] have sacrificed lives of comfort and wealth we have managed fine while you have chosen to abandon your consciences for monetary incentives.
Death is an inevitable reality for us all but the reward for compromising one's conscience for financial gain is an undignified death. This is an end that follows when you fail to stand for truth.
One should only fear or shun death that results from gluttony or fear.
