By Agenagn Kebede Dagnew
Abstract
This very short and precise commentary examines the political trajectory of Eskinder Nega—an Ethiopian journalist, activist, and former political prisoner—and his controversial alignment with the Amhara armed resistance known as Fano. While historically committed to pan-Ethiopian civic nationalism, Eskinder’s recent transition into ethnic-based armed struggle marks a significant ideological departure. Drawing on key informant interviews and political analysis, the paper argues that his involvement has exacerbated internal divisions within the Fano movement, diluted the specificity of the Amhara struggle, and hindered strategic coherence. Rather than advancing the movement’s objectives, Eskinder’s actions are perceived as attempts to restore personal political relevance under the guise of advocacy, thus undermining the credibility and unity of the Amhara resistance at a critical historical juncture.
Keywords: Eskinder Nega, Fano Movement, Amhara Struggle, Pan-Ethiopianism, Ethnic Politics, Movement Fragmentation
Who is Eskinder and what is His Political Affiliation?
Eskinder Nega is Ethiopian journalist, political activist, and former political prisoner who has played a significant and enduring role in the country’s political landscape. Born in Addis Ababa in 1969, he pursued higher education in the United States before returning to Ethiopia to engage in journalism and advocate for democratic reform. Throughout his career, Eskinder has endured multiple imprisonments due to his unwavering critique of successive Ethiopian regimes, his firm commitment to democratic principles, and his promotion of pan-Ethiopian identity over ethnic-based politics.
His political history reflects a consistent disinterest in engaging in ethnically defined political movements or aligning himself with ethnic-based political agendas. In 2020, members of the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA)—an ethnic Amhara party—approached Eskinder with an invitation to join the organization. He declined, reaffirming his commitment to civic nationalism and pan-Ethiopian ideals. His decision ultimately weakened NaMA’s political foothold in Addis Ababa, as he instead founded the Balderas for Genuine Democracy party, a citizen-based political movement (Personal communication with key informant, March 3, 2025).
Transition to Armed Resistance: Unpacking Eskinder Nega’s Alignment with the Fano Movement
In 2019, Eskinder Nega established the Balderas for Genuine Democracy Party, a civic-oriented political movement committed to advancing democratic governance and institutional accountability in Ethiopia. However, citing increasing political repression and a shrinking democratic space, Eskinder publicly announced his resignation from the party in August 2022. Coinciding with this period was the resurgence of the Amhara armed resistance movement under the banner of Fano. Seizing this shifting political landscape, starting from 2023, Eskinder had aligned himself with the Fano struggle, launching his activities in the Gojjam region. He publicly framed his affiliation with Fano—a loosely organized Amhara militia network—as a response to the federal government’s failure to protect the Amhara population from targeted violence and systemic marginalization (Eastleigh Voice, 2024).
Nonetheless, interviews with multiple Fano members and neutral political analysts reveal a more contentious perspective. According to these sources, Eskinder’s involvement in the movement was perceived not as a genuine commitment to the Amhara cause, but as a strategic maneuver to regain political relevance. Critics argue that he leveraged the atrocities committed against the Amhara people to cultivate alliances with pan-Ethiopian political entities and anti-Amhara political movements which have been organized in citizenship politics, while simultaneously downplaying the specificity and severity of the ethnic cleansing and genocidal violence targeting the Amhara (Personal interviews, March 2025). This duality has led to skepticism within Fano ranks regarding his intentions and credibility as a representative of the movement.
Therefore, it can be argued that Eskinder Nega’s involvement in the Fano struggle stands in stark contradiction to his long-standing civic nationalist ideology rooted in pan-Ethiopian citizenship. This ideological dissonance has not only undermined cohesion within the Fano movement but may have also contributed to delays in the strategic advancement of the Amhara resistance. Furthermore, his polarizing presence is perceived by some as exacerbating internal divisions, thereby weakening the movement’s ability to effectively confront and halt the ongoing atrocities against the Amhara people.
Contributions to the Fano Movement: Merit and Demerit
Following his alignment with the Fano movement, Eskinder Nega launched the Amhara People’s Army (APA) in May 2023 in Gojjam. In an effort to internationalize the Amhara struggle, Eskinder sought diplomatic engagement with key global institutions—including the African Union, the European Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development—to raise awareness about the persecution of the Amhara people and advocate for their rights (Chonsview Media, 2025).
However, according to neutral political analysts and key informants, Eskinder’s messaging fell short of accurately conveying the depth and distinct nature of the Amhara crisis. Rather than highlighting the specific and historically rooted atrocities—such as genocide and ethnic cleansing that have targeted the Amhara since the 1960s—he framed the issue as part of a broader national challenge affecting all Ethiopians equally. This narrative, while diplomatically palatable, diluted the singular existential threat faced by the Amhara, whose struggle transcends conventional demands for democracy and human rights. For the Amhara people, the core issue is not merely political inclusion, but survival itself—a distinction that remains essential to any truthful international advocacy.
Thus, although Eskinder Nega established an armed struggle group and undertook diplomatic efforts to engage the international community, he has fallen short of accurately conveying the reality on the ground—the scale and specificity of the atrocities the Amhara people continue to face.
Eskinder Nega’s Ambition and the Fragmentation of Amhara Resistance
Despite his visible efforts, Eskinder Nega’s leadership within the Fano movement has encountered significant resistance from multiple factions. Given the underlying tensions and contradictions between his political trajectory and the core aspirations of the Amhara struggle, it may be in the best interest of the movement for Eskinder to maintain distance. This perspective is underscored by several critical considerations:
As highlighted by scholarly literature, key informant interviews, and neutral political analyses, Eskinder Nega’s background as a journalist and political activist—rather than as a military strategist—has prompted skepticism among several Fano commanders regarding his fitness to lead an armed resistance (The Habesha, 2023). Given these concerns, it would be more constructive for Eskinder to step away from the battlefield and instead leverage his diplomatic strengths. With his extensive networks among international organizations and global policy think tanks, Eskinder can amplify the Amhara cause on the world stage through advocacy, awareness, and strategic diplomacy.
Warring factions have interpreted Eskinder Nega’s shift from political activism to armed struggle as a calculated move, sparking concerns over the sincerity and longevity of his commitment to the Fano cause (East African Review, 2024). According to key informants and political analysts, this transition appears less rooted in genuine solidarity with the Amhara struggle and more reflective of a strategic effort to reassert him in national politics. Eskinder’s historical detachment from Amhara-specific issues, combined with what some describe as a persistent personal ambition, has fueled skepticism that his involvement in the Fano movement is a tactical vehicle for political resurgence rather than a principled stand for Amhara rights..
In addition, Eskinder Nega’s engagement in negotiations with international entities—conducted without the broad consensus of Fano factions—has generated significant mistrust and accusations of undermining the movement’s cohesion (The Habesha, 2023). According to key informants, for the past four years Eskinder has independently communicated with various regional and international organizations, bypassing collective consultation with fellow Fano leaders. This unilateral approach has alienated grassroots commanders, who argue that meaningful dialogue with external actors should be rooted in internal consensus.
Moreover, Eskinder is reported to have deepened divisions within the Fano movement by leveraging financial backing from individuals and groups operating under a pan-Ethiopian identity—many of whom are accused of promoting anti-Amhara narratives. With these resources, Eskinder has asserted influence over self-proclaimed Fano leaders in Gojjam, Wollo, Shewa, and Gondar, consolidating control while marginalizing other voices (The New Humanitarian, 2024). Compounding the problem, he has reportedly mischaracterized the Amhara survival struggle by portraying Fano forces as affiliates of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF)—entities widely seen by Amhara communities as complicit, along with the ruling Prosperity Party, in the perpetuation of atrocities. This narrative not only distorts the lived reality of the Amhara people but also complicates their legitimate resistance on the global stage.
Thus, drawing from the literature and insights provided by key informants, it becomes evident that Eskinder Nega’s involvement in the Amhara struggle has been largely driven by personal ambition, framed under the guise of Amhara advocacy, and influenced by broader pan-Ethiopian political forces. Rather than strengthening the movement, his actions have introduced ideological inconsistencies and fostered internal fragmentation among resistance factions—ultimately challenging the cohesion and effectiveness of the Amhara struggle.
Conclusion
Eskinder Nega’s transition from political activism to armed resistance reflects the deepening complexities of Ethiopia’s ongoing political turmoil. While his attempts to galvanize the Fano movement and champion the rights of the Amhara people have earned him a significant internal divisions persist. His credibility as a field commander remains contested, as many within the movement question the alignment between his prior political orientation and the demands of frontline leadership in a grassroots armed struggle.
Recommendations
- Given Eskinder Nega’s extensive background in journalism, civic activism, and his global network of political and diplomatic contacts, he would be more effective operating as an international advocate.
- Given that the Amhara struggle is fundamentally ethnic-based, may it is preferable for Eskinder Nega to be advised to withdraw from the resistance arena, as leadership must reflect and prioritize the Amhara’s existential concerns—not broader pan-Ethiopian agendas that obscure the specificity of the Amhara cause.
- It is imperative for the Fano movement to foster internal unity through inclusive and collective decision-making—moving beyond the exclusive and unilateral actions associated with Eskinder Nega’s leadership.
- It is crucial to protect the Amhara struggle from being co-opted by broader pan-Ethiopian political movements or actors whose agendas may conflict with the Amhara’s survival-oriented objectives.
- Reframe the international narrative that the Amhara cause must be presented as a unique, targeted struggle for survival-not merely as a democratic or human rights issues affecting all Ethiopians equally.
References
Chonsview Media. (2025, January 26). Can Eskinder Nega Be Ethiopia’s Next Leader? Retrieved from https://chonsview.com/2025/01/26/can-eskinder-nega-be-ethiopias-next-leader/Chonsview Media
East African Review. (2024, July 17). Eskinder Nega: The Problem Child of Amhara? Retrieved from https://eastafricanreview.com/2024/07/17/eskindir-nega-the-problem-child-of-amhara/East African Review
Eastleigh Voice. (2024). Fano leader Eskinder Nega maintains stance on peace talks amid tensions in Amhara, Ethiopia. Retrieved from https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/ethiopia/50475/fano-leader-eskinder-nega-maintains-stance-on-peace-talks-amid-tensions-in-amhara-ethiopiaThe Eastleigh Voice News+2The Eastleigh Voice News+2The Eastleigh Voice News+2
The Habesha. (2023, November 8). Fano’s Success Depends on Accepting Eskinder is Not the Eleventh Commandment. Retrieved from https://zehabesha.com/fanos-success-depends-on-accepting-eskinder-is-not-the-eleventh-commandment/zehabesha.com
The New Humanitarian. (2024, November 12). Who are the leaders of the Fano groups operating in Amhara Region? Retrieved from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2024/11/12/who-fano-inside-ethiopia-amhara-rebellion
Agenagn Kebede Dagnew is an assistant professor of political science at Injibara University in Ethiopia, and a young professional in the discipline. Currently, he is living in Russia and studying literature, philosophy, and the Russian language at Ivanovo State University. Agenagn has engaged in local research activities on democracy and human rights, including the political rights of marginalized groups, and gender. He edits and reviews pieces and full article of various journals and magazines. He has contributed political analysis to Modern Diplomacy and Susa Africa. He has contributed commentary to the Blog of London School of Economics and Political Science and Social Science Research Council of U.S. In recent years he contributed the book titled Global Peace and Security (ISBN: 1-83768-252-6) as co-author as chapter writer. He contributes research articles in the African Security Review of Taylor and Francis, in the Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies of University of South Florida, and in the Journal of Sexuality Research and Social Policy of Springer.
