Amhara nationalism is a form ofethnonationalism andpolitical movement that advocates for and advances the interests ofAmhara 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 modernEthiopian politics, which is based on a thesis of national oppression.[1][2][3]
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Sometimes, this type of nationalism associated with pan-Ethiopian nationalism which is a form ofcivic nationalism. Some see it as a symbol of patriotism overEthiopians 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.[6]
Historically, Amhara nationalism was correlated withEthiopian nationalism, which supportscivic nationalism among Ethiopian ethnic group.[7] In early 1992,All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) was founded by ProfessorAsrat Woldeyes to represent Amhara as one identity. TheAmhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM) similarly followed such stance after formed by Amharan prisoner of wars with the help ofTPLF-dominatedEPRDF coalition before thefall 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 ofAll Ethiopian Unity Party.[4]
The Amhara peasants were subjected to defraud when they assist Amharas who were under attack by other ethnic group in the south, notably by theArsi Oromos. They claim that "Amhara" was the descendant of EmperorMenelik 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 areOrthodox Christians.[4]
The Amhara people often viewed by external observers as a symbol of Ethiopian patriotism and link with the Ethiopian nationalism.[8] In contrast, the ethnic federalist EPRDF viewed by Ethiopian nationalists including the Amhara nationalist and elites as "unpatriotic" or even treacherous.[9][10] 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 inOromia andAgew Awi Zones.[11]
TheDerg regime often portrayed as the continuation of Amhara imperial government despite Amharas were subjected to grave brutality.Taffara Deguefe, the President of theCommercial Bank of Ethiopia wrote a memoir titledThe Tripping Stone in his prison cell that described the moment of discrimination against Amhara during the regime:[12]
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 underMenelik II andHaile Selassie, over 80% ofgenerals and over 65% ofcolonels in the armed forces were Amhara's according to Ethiopian historian Gebru Tareke.[13] 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.[14] 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 colonialistneftenya origins. Many member of the ruling elite were deeply opposed to the idea of loosening control on the rebellioussouthern regions conquered under Menelik II.[15]
TheWelkait controversy is the source of Amhara nationalism since 2016.[16] During the first months ofTigray War, Amhara forces recaptured the town.[17] TheFano 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 theEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, claiming that Amhara is suffering from government persecution and perpetuatinggenocidal intent.[18]
However, revolution seems to many to mask the perpetuation of colonization. In 1978 the proportion of Amhara officials mainly Shewans in the government of Ethiopia is higher than it has ever been.
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