The Amhara Fano National Movement (; AFNM) is an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia group fighting against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and its allies to overcome the threats to the Amhara people. AFNM is a unified political and military organization officially established on 17 January 2026. It was formed to merge various decentralized Fano factionsâÂÂprimarily the Amhara Fano National Force and the Amhara Fano Popular OrganisationâÂÂunder a single command structure and ideological framework.
Ideology: The movement is guided by Amhara nationalism.
Primary goal: To reverse perceived "existential threats" to the Amhara people and ensure their survival, identity, and rights.
Political vision: Establishing a national democratic framework where the individual and collective rights of all Ethiopians are respected through justice and peaceful coexistence.
Military stance: Transitioning from "defensive resistance" to strategic action as a successor to the regional and national forces.
The AFNM's establishment follows years of decentralized insurgency in the Amhara region that began in April 2023. Previous attempts at unificationâÂÂsuch as the formation of the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) in May 2025âÂÂfaced challenges due to regional fragmentation and internal leadership rivalries. The January 2026 merger aims to correct these "weaknesses and gaps" by adopting a formal charter and a committee-based governance model.
Fano militias have claimed to control over 80% of the Amhara region, primarily rural areas, while the federal government retains control of major cities and highways.
Fighting between AFNM forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) remains ongoing across multiple zones, including North Wollo and East Gojjam.
The AFNM has called on the international community to cease support for the current federal administration and has urged humanitarian organizations to expand aid to affected populations.