Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front
Encyclopedia
The Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) is a rebel group founded in side Eritrea in the period of 1987/88 in the beginning the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was is operating primarily in the northern Semien (North) Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region. This group tried unsuccessfully to emerge several armed dissident groups inside Ethiopia: the Kefagn Patriotic Front, the Ethiopian Unity Front, the Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces and the Benishangul People's Democratic Movement. [1]in 2005 the movements both was atomized to different Ethnic movements:- Tigerian, Beneshagoul, Southern, Gambella.
From 2006 many of the Ethiopian Diaspora came and visited and exposed its core information to the enemy.
In 2007 some members of the movement gave their hands to the enemy by the advice of some of the enemy members who came from diaspora and internal agents and bought local residents of fighting sone. Since 2008 the front has let Eritrea and moved inside western Ethiopia fighting for liberated zone. Thus not be stigmatized by the traditional rival and belligerence neighbors (i.e Ethiopia & Eritrea). Since it working in the Western highlands of Ethiopia to this day.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvQKXWzgZmQ)
Because it was supported by the government of neighboring Eritrea
for many years, the EPPF had little popular support inside Ethiopia. Despite this, following the government repression over the 2005 Ethiopian elections
popular support for the EPPF has grown. Recently the EPPF has claimed to have defeated Ethiopian army units in Semien Gondar in battles during March and April 2006. Although the Walta Information Center
, reported that the government was in clear control of communities in the Semien Gondar Zone such as the Lay Armachiho
woreda, the Ethiopian Review website printed an eyewitness report from Belessa
woreda that the EPPF has set up check points at various points of the highway and are confiscating vehicles and properties that belong to the government.
On 22 May 2006, at a meeting in Utrecht
the EPPF joined the Coalition for Unity and Democracy
, the Ogaden National Liberation Front
, the Oromo Liberation Front
, the Sidama Liberation Front and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces
to form a coalition called the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy
.
In June 2006, the EPPF clashed again with government forces in the Amhara Region. The Ethiopian government reported that it killed 111 and captured 86 EPPF fighters, while the EPPF responded that it had defeated government troops in Qwara
on 7 June, and near Delelo in Lay Armachiho five days later.
From 2006 many of the Ethiopian Diaspora came and visited and exposed its core information to the enemy.
In 2007 some members of the movement gave their hands to the enemy by the advice of some of the enemy members who came from diaspora and internal agents and bought local residents of fighting sone. Since 2008 the front has let Eritrea and moved inside western Ethiopia fighting for liberated zone. Thus not be stigmatized by the traditional rival and belligerence neighbors (i.e Ethiopia & Eritrea). Since it working in the Western highlands of Ethiopia to this day.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvQKXWzgZmQ)
Because it was supported by the government of neighboring Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
for many years, the EPPF had little popular support inside Ethiopia. Despite this, following the government repression over the 2005 Ethiopian elections
Ethiopian general elections, 2005
Ethiopia held general elections on May 15, 2005, for seats in both its national and in four regional government councils. Under pressure from the international community, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi promised that this election would be proof that more democracy would come in this multi-ethnic...
popular support for the EPPF has grown. Recently the EPPF has claimed to have defeated Ethiopian army units in Semien Gondar in battles during March and April 2006. Although the Walta Information Center
Walta Information Center
Walta Information Center is a private news and information service that is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.-External links:*...
, reported that the government was in clear control of communities in the Semien Gondar Zone such as the Lay Armachiho
Lay Armachiho
Lay Armachiho is one of the 105 woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. This woreda is named after "Armachiho", a province in northwestern northwestern Ethiopia along the border with Sudan and south of the Tekezé River...
woreda, the Ethiopian Review website printed an eyewitness report from Belessa
Belessa
Belessa is one of the 105 woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the former province Belessa, which lay in the same area. Part of the Semien Gondar Zone, Belessa is bordered on the south by the Debub Gondar Zone, on the west by Gondar Zuria, on the northwest by Wegera, on the...
woreda that the EPPF has set up check points at various points of the highway and are confiscating vehicles and properties that belong to the government.
On 22 May 2006, at a meeting in Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
the EPPF joined the Coalition for Unity and Democracy
Coalition for Unity and Democracy
The Coalition for Unity and Democracy is a coalition of four existing political parties of Ethiopia which combined to compete for seats in the Ethiopian General Elections held on May 15, 2005. Its leader is Dr...
, the Ogaden National Liberation Front
Ogaden National Liberation Front
The Ogaden National Liberation Front , is a separatist rebel group fighting to make the region of Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia an independent state...
, the Oromo Liberation Front
Oromo Liberation Front
The Oromo Liberation Front , or OLF, is an organization established in 1973 by Oromo nationalists to promote self-determination for the Oromo people against what they call "Abyssinian colonial rule". It has been outlawed and labeled as a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian government...
, the Sidama Liberation Front and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces
United Ethiopian Democratic Forces
The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces is a coalition of several existing political parties of Ethiopia which combined to compete for seats in the Ethiopian General Elections held on May 15, 2005....
to form a coalition called the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy
Alliance for Freedom and Democracy
The Alliance for Freedom and Democracy is an Ethiopian political party formed 22 May 2006 from the Oromo Liberation Front , the Coalition for Unity and Democracy , Ethiopian Peoples' Patriotic Front , and Ogaden National Liberation Front , and the Sidama Liberation Front...
.
In June 2006, the EPPF clashed again with government forces in the Amhara Region. The Ethiopian government reported that it killed 111 and captured 86 EPPF fighters, while the EPPF responded that it had defeated government troops in Qwara
Qwara (woreda)
Qwara is one of the 105 woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Qwara is named after the former province Qwara, which was in the same area. Located at the westernmost point of the Semien Gondar Zone, Qwara is bordered on the south by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the west by Sudan, on the...
on 7 June, and near Delelo in Lay Armachiho five days later.
External links
- Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front website (Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
mirror)