Recent developments in the Amhara Fano movement highlight a period of internal turbulence that is reshaping power dynamics across the region. AFPO losing ground—most notably, Kefyalew Dessie from South Gondar and its consequence suggest a looming power shift. Prominent names within the Amhara Fano Popular Organization (AFPO), however, have not held back their criticisms. In their official statements and many AFPO members in media outlets have pointed the finger directly at rampant infighting within the Fano factions, alleging that the discord was instrumental in the fall of such commanding leaders.
The alleged high cost of internal strife has not spared AFPO . The very same toxic factionalism has recently been evidenced by the surrender of Tsedalu Dessie—a major commander who capitulated along with his entire cadre of combatants. In a clear echo of the fragmentation that has already cost the movement dearly,
In a candid interview on Tana TV, Geta Asrade—a renowned AFPO figure operating in South Gondar—shed new light on this internal crisis. Asrade revealed that he and other AFPO-affiliated factions were taken aback by the news of Tsedalu Dessie’s surrender. Yet, with a tone that mixed surprise and resignation, he explained that the severity of the infighting could well justify such drastic measures. According to Geta Asrade, this internal quarrel has already resulted in the loss of over 100 combatants from AFPO, underscoring the urgent need for the vicious cycle to be halted.
This call for action was not isolated. A day after the formation announcement of the AFNF, the official press release from AFPO itself echoed similar sentiments by calling for unification under a single organizational umbrella. Geta Asrade reinforced this plea during his interview, emphasizing that all factions—despite their current divisions—are fighting for the very same cause. The general public’s growing clamor for a consolidated front only adds to the pressure on fragmented groups to set aside their differences.
Yet, unification is proving to be a complicated endeavor. Deep-seated ideological differences remain a formidable barrier. On one side, the AFNF adopts a far-right, pro-Amhara nationalist stance that has become its defining mark; on the other, AFPO leans towards a more moderate, sometimes even Ethiopianist, approach. These nuanced ideological disparities mean that while the call for a unified force is widely supported, bridging the gap between these divergent worldviews will be no small task.
Despite the profound losses and internal dissent that continue to plague the movement, these recent events suggest that power may indeed be shifting. In the Gondar region—statistically the second most active area for AFPO—the void created by internal disunity is opening the door for AFNF to consolidate its position. In contrast, arguably the most important sub region in Amhara for the movement, Shewa, AFPO and its affiliated factions seem to have retained their grip on local operations, serving as a reminder that the battlefield of ideas and logistics is as varied as the regions themselves.
Ultimately, the unfolding crisis within the Amhara Fano movement is a stark reminder that even the strongest collective movements can be vulnerable from within. As leaders like Geta Asrade call for an end to the internal strife in favor of unification, the future of this struggle may well depend on whether these ideological differences—and the resulting internal fractures—can be reconciled. Only a unified front can hope to face the external challenges that lie ahead.
