Zemene Kassie
Zemene Kassie | |
|---|---|
| ዘመነ ካሴ | |
| Leader of Amhara Fano, Gojjam Command | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2023 | |
| Deputy |
|
| Chairman of Amhara Youth Association | |
| In office 10 September 2018 – 1 January 2023 | |
| Spokesperson of Patriotic Ginbot 7 | |
| In office 10 September 2013 – 1 January 2017 | |
| President of Amhara Region Youth League | |
| In office 1 September 2011 – 1 September 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Zemene Kassie Bawkie 14 March 1985 Merawi, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia |
| Political party | Ginbot 7 (2013–2016) |
| Alma mater | Haramaya University (BA) Ethiopian Civil Service University (MSc) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Fano |
| Years of service | 2018–present |
| Commands | Gojjam Fano Command |
| Battles / wars | Tigray War War in Amhara |
Zemene Kassie (Amharic: ዘመነ ካሴ; born 14 March 1985) is an Ethiopian politician and the chief rebel leader of the Amhara Fano militia, Gojjam command. He is widely regarded as one of the prominent figures of the new Amhara nationalism.
Born in Merawi, near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Zemene previously worked in various government positions in the early-2010s. Following disagreements with EPRDF's regional leaders in Amhara, he was forced into exile to Eritrea and joined the Ginbot 7 opposition group in order to counter EPRDF government persecution. He then returned to Ethiopia in 2018 after premiership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and worked in organizing Amhara youth for political actions in Ethiopia.
Zemene organized a Fano faction under the banner of Amhara Popular Force during the Tigray War when Tigrayan rebel forces invaded the Amhara region in mid-2021. It was during the Tigray War that he rose to prominence as a leading figure in the Fano militia.