ADDIS ABABA Reuters – A prominent Ethiopian General who was critical of Prime Minister Abiy Mohamed’s government will be appearing in court this Friday, according to his wife.

Brigadier General Tefera Mamo was the commander of Amhara’s military. This unit backed Abiy against rebellious northern Tigray forces until February. He was then removed from office for unspecified reasons.

On Sunday last week, he spoke out on TV and criticised Abiy’s tactics against Tigray People’s Liberation Front. He also accuses Amhara members in the prime minister’s ruling coalition of being motivated to win by money.

Tefera was picked up in Addis Ababa’s capital, Ethiopia, by a friend and taken by helicopter from there to Bahir Dar in Amhara.

The President and Spokesman for Amhara’s Regional Administration did not reply to inquiries seeking comment or confirmation that he was arrested. Police also did not respond.

Critics believe that Abiy has been cracking down against dissent in Ethiopia since he was elected to power in 2018 as a reformist. Abiy claims he has ensured stability and law-and order in this multiethnic country.

CLASHES and ARRESTS

Tefera was arrested and clash in Amhara during reports that a regional president and chief officer of the army staff were killed by an unidentified general.

According to Fano member Tafere Daite, Thursday saw allied national and regional troops fighting in Motta alongside members of the Fano volunteer militia. He gave no more details.

Fano had helped federal and Amhara soldiers in Tigray’s war and Tefera said in a TV interview that the movement must not be overlooked.

Eshetu Gotinet, a student leader, said that Fano members were being held in detention in the region capital in recent days and further operations are underway.

A journalist at Ashara local media outlet that has focused recent reporting on Fano told Reuters five other journalists had been detained Thursday.

They were dressed in uniforms of Amhara special forces and Amhara police, as well as anti-riot force clothing. He said that he was in hiding on a toilet and they had taken them.

Amhara officers, the military and the police did not respond.

Colonel Getnet Adane, Ethiopian Army spokesperson, referred a Reuters inquiry to the spokesperson of the government. He did not respond immediately.

Daniel Bekele of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said that his team is closely monitoring Tefera’s detention. According to him, “We are deeply concerned about the wave arrests that has included journalists.”