Amhara Nationalism

Amhara nationalism is a form of ethnonationalism and political movement that advocates for and advances the interests of Amhara people in Ethiopia, asserting that Amhara designates a single, secular nation with an ethno-cultural identity unique to itself. The movement broadly emerged as a counter discourse of modern Ethiopian politics, which is based on a thesis of national oppression.

Sometimes, this type of nationalism associated with pan-Ethiopian nationalism which is a form of civic nationalism. Some see it as a symbol of patriotism over Ethiopians while other portray this nationalism as maintaining Amhara political and territorial identity. For example, Amhara youth tend to relate with ethnic and political identity compared to older generation who are more likely to express a pan-Ethiopian stance.

Historical perspectives

Historically, Amhara nationalism was correlated with Ethiopian nationalism, which supports civic nationalism among Ethiopian ethnic group. In early 1992, All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) was founded by Professor Asrat Woldeyes to represent Amhara as one identity. The Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM) similarly followed such stance after formed by Amharan prisoner of wars with the help of TPLF-dominated EPRDF coalition before the fall of the Derg — became an official Amhara political party in Ethiopia. However, only Amhara peasants remained the last class without any formal political organization as both AAPO and ANDM represented the urban population of Amhara, claiming they stand for Amhara sovereignty. AAPO instead spoke for Ethiopian nationalism without leaving the notion of Amhara nationalism in both rural and urban population that resulted in the formation of All Ethiopian Unity Party.

The Amhara peasants were subjected to defraud when they assist Amharas who were under attack by other ethnic group in the south, notably by the Arsi Oromos. They claim that "Amhara" was the descendant of Emperor Menelik II soldiers who conquered in the 19th century. As such, they are identified by the local peasants not only as landlords and administrators, but they are Orthodox Christians.

Comparison with Ethiopian nationalism

The Amhara people often viewed by external observers as a symbol of Ethiopian patriotism and link with the Ethiopian nationalism. In contrast, the ethnic federalist EPRDF viewed by Ethiopian nationalists including the Amhara nationalist and elites as "unpatriotic" or even treacherous. However, some Amhara nationalists claim they are democratic in ethnic federalism state due to they grant self-determination to minority group in the region, such as in Oromia and Agew Awi Zones.

The Derg regime often portrayed as the continuation of Amhara imperial government despite Amharas were subjected to grave brutality. Taffara Deguefe, the President of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia wrote a memoir titled ''The Tripping Stone'' in his prison cell that described the moment of discrimination against Amhara during the regime:

The only ‘minorities’ who are scorned are the hopeless Amhara for their past privileges. They have to pay for it now in lost jobs and positions for their hateful identification to a past now seen as distasteful to the military junta.

Under the Derg, the Ethiopian military was dominated by the Amhara ethnic group. Similar to the period of the Ethiopian Empire under Menelik II and Haile Selassie, over 80% of generals and over 65% of colonels in the armed forces were Amhara's according to Ethiopian historian Gebru Tareke. Many Ethiopians viewed the revolution as a mask to perpetuate Amhara domination. In 1978 the proportion of Amhara officials in the government of Ethiopia was higher than it had ever been - even under Menelik. By 1980, the original 120 members of the Derg had been cut down to only 38. All members except for three were ethnic Amhara and were predominantly from settler colonialist ''neftenya'' origins. Many member of the ruling elite were deeply opposed to the idea of loosening control on the rebellious southern regions conquered under Menelik II.

The Welkait controversy is the source of Amhara nationalism since 2016. During the first months of Tigray War, Amhara forces recaptured the town. The Fano movement is an ethno-nationalist protest movement that claims to represent Amhara people, which slightly gained widespread support in Ethiopia. They are closely tie to the notion of "Ethiopianness" with its tenet relates with the presence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, claiming that Amhara is suffering from government persecution and perpetuating genocidal intent.

See also

* Ethiopian nationalism
* Fano (militia)
* Ethiopian nationalism
* Persecution of Amhara people

References

Sources

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{{Ethnic nationalism

Amhara Region
Ethnic nationalism in Ethiopia
Nationalisms
Nationalist movements in Africa
Prelude to the Tigray war