The two main Amhara Fano groupings—the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) and the Amhara Fano People’s Organization (AFPO)—have opened talks aimed at forming a single, unified front, according to a press release issued by AFNF on Tuesday. The statement, which emphasized unity and the need for a single command and shared operating method, said the move follows internal reconciliation within AFNF and a renewed commitment to resolve differences through dialogue.
The AFNF communiqué—headlined with the rallying cry “Let Us Be One!” and attributed to Brig. Gen. Asaminew Tsige in the release—says preliminary agreements reached inside AFNF have produced a fresh pledge to operate under a common framework in the Amhara region, and that talks with AFPO have been initiated to extend that unity to rival Fano formations. The statement also announced that AFNF forces in Gojjam will operate under the designation “West Amhara Front — Tewodros Ez,” referencing the organization’s earlier declarations.
AFPO has been publicly active in recent months, issuing its own statements and responses on political and human-rights issues, and sources close to the group say it is receptive to negotiations aimed at consolidating command structures among Fano formations. Observers say the two groups’ engagement reflects growing pressure among Amhara militias to present a united political and military posture.
Analysts say attempts to form a unified Fano command have accelerated since 2024 and intensified in 2025, as various commanders and factions—operating across different zones of Amhara—seek greater coordination. Proponents of unity argue a single umbrella command will improve strategic coherence and political bargaining power; critics warn that unification may be difficult because of local loyalties, competing commanders and outside pressures.
The AFNF statement also included an apology to civilians, supporters and fighters for problems caused by earlier internal disputes and pledged to resolve future internal issues through internal democratic processes and established organizational procedures. The group said its Central Command had reviewed its trajectory and set new strategic priorities at a meeting held on the date given in the release (Nehase 27, 2017 E.C., corresponding to 2 September 2025).
What happens next remains uncertain. Observers will be watching for confirmation from AFPO and for signs of whether the talks produce a concrete unification agreement, a joint command structure, or merely a coordination pact. If successful, a unified Fano front would reshape the political–military landscape in parts of Amhara, potentially affecting negotiations with the federal government and influencing local security dynamics.
