Unmasking the TRUTH: How Eskinder Nega and His Associates Undermined the Amhara Struggle — A Call for Unity through Accountability.

Picture from Google Images

By: A.S. Molla

In an article titled “Obsessing Over Eskinder Nega Harms the Amhara Struggle,” published on November 26, 2024, in the electronic journal “Medium” (1), the writer, using the pseudonym “Sovereign Voice,” argues that criticism of Eskinder Nega is counterproductive and distracts from the broader existential threats faced by the Amhara people. While the article emphasizes the need for unity and strategic focus, it overlooks the significant harm Eskinder and his associates have inflicted on the Amhara movement by fostering discord, undermining leadership, and redirecting critical energy away from the ongoing existential struggle. This counter-perspective challenges Sovereign Voice’s claims and highlights the need to address these internal divisions. It also calls upon all true sons and daughters of Amhara, both in the diaspora and within the homeland, to unite in principled and truthful solidarity to overcome these challenges and safeguard the future of the Amhara struggle.

The Existential Crisis and the Necessity of Accountability

The writer begins with a valid acknowledgment of the dire circumstances facing the Amhara people — genocide, displacement, and persecution — and underscores the urgent need for unity and strategic collaboration. The article asserts that criticism of Eskinder Nega undermines these goals, arguing that “over the past six months, diaspora media, activists, and organizations have been consumed by a campaign to discredit Eskinder Nega. Regardless of personal opinions about Eskinder, this campaign has caused harm to the Amhara struggle, deepening divisions, depleting morale, and distracting from the real enemy.”

However, the writer’s attempt to dismiss these critical issues as mere distractions reflects a disingenuous effort to shift blame. Unity cannot be achieved by ignoring internal sabotage. Eskinder’s actions, including fostering discord among prominent Fano leaders and amplifying divisive propaganda, represent a direct threat to the cohesion and effectiveness of the Amhara movement. Addressing these harmful behaviors through genuine engagement and accountability is not a diversion from the struggle — it is a necessary step to rebuild trust, restore unity, and strengthen the collective effort against the existential threats facing the Amhara people.

Fostering Division Among Fano Leaders

The article claims that criticism of Eskinder has created an “us versus them” mentality that fragments the movement. In reality, Eskinder himself has been a primary source of this division. Through his organization, he has promoted propaganda that vilifies and discredits prominent Fano leaders, sowing distrust within the leadership and among grassroots supporters. The result is a fractured landscape in which leaders who should be united are instead pitted against each other. Criticizing this behavior is not creating division; it is confronting the root cause of the disunity and as such needs to be addressed through genuine engagement and accountability.

Weaponizing Propaganda Against the Amhara Struggle

The writer, Sovereign Voice, argues that discrediting Fano groups associated with Eskinder alienates supporters and undermines the movement. This argument ignores the detrimental impact of Eskinder’s rhetoric in delegitimizing other Fano factions and the role his associates have played in inciting infighting among these groups, leading to the tragic loss of comrades and weakening the unity of the movement. By amplifying blasphemous, deceitful, and deceptive narratives, Eskinder has marginalized critical voices and weakened the very leadership needed to guide the movement. Calling out this behavior is an essential defense against further erosion of trust and solidarity within the struggle.

The Danger of Factionalism and Eskinder’s Role

The article highlights the dangers of factionalism and the historical need for unified fronts in social and political struggles. Ironically, it fails to acknowledge how Eskinder’s actions embody the very factionalism it decries. His campaigns against other Fano leaders and his support for divisive rhetoric have left the movement fractured and demoralized. Addressing Eskinder’s role is not an attack on unity but a step toward mending the fractures he has caused.

Diaspora Platforms as Battlegrounds

The writer, Sovereign Voice, critiques diaspora organizations and media for fostering division rather than promoting unity. While this observation carries some validity, it fails to acknowledge the central role that Eskinder’s propaganda machine has played in exacerbating these divisions. By enabling hate-driven agents to spread discord and target Fano leaders, Eskinder’s organization has turned these platforms into arenas of internal conflict and fragmentation.

In making this argument, the writer conveniently disregards the well-documented destabilizing activities orchestrated by Eskinder and his supporters. These efforts have systematically undermined key diaspora grassroots organizations, such as the International Amhara Movement, fractured various Amhara associations and advocacy groups, and sowed discord among influential Fano factions. Eskinder’s associates have relentlessly engaged in campaigns of blackmail and baseless accusations against prominent Amhara voices, including prisoners of conscience who remain in the regime’s brutal torture centers for daring to speak out for the Amhara cause.

For over a year and a half, these coordinated attacks have reflected a deliberate strategy to weaken and fragment the Amhara movement. Using media channels and significant diaspora-sourced financial resources, Eskinder’s supporters have spread divisive rhetoric against respected Fano leaders such as Zemene Kassie, Mire Wodajo, and Asegid Mekonen. This destructive campaign, as highlighted in an exposé by Addis Dimts media owner Abebe Belew on August 20, 2024 (2), has created deep and irreparable rifts within diaspora advocacy groups and has fueled infighting among Fano factions, undermining the effectiveness of the broader struggle. In fact, in my previous articles published on July 19 and 22 on Borkena.com (3, 4), I called on Eskinder’s supporters and the diaspora community to prioritize trust and restraint, urging them to end the blasphemous campaign. Unfortunately, my plea went in vain.

Criticizing these harmful influences is not a distraction but a critical step toward reclaiming these platforms for constructive dialogue and unified action. Ignoring the role of Eskinder and his associates in perpetuating division is tantamount to allowing the continued erosion of the Amhara movement’s cohesion and strength. To rebuild unity, it is imperative to address these destabilizing forces head-on and foster trust and collaboration within the movement through genuine, principled engagement anchored in accountability.

The Futility of Ignoring Eskinder’s Actions

The article dismisses criticism of Eskinder as futile, arguing that no diaspora force can remove him from his position. This misses the point entirely. The goal of exposing Eskinder’s actions is not removal but accountability. Highlighting his divisive role brings attention to the damage he has caused and pressures him and his allies to cease their harmful campaigns. Ignoring his actions would allow these destructive behaviors to persist unchecked, further weakening the movement.

The Real Distraction: Eskinder’s Campaigns and the need for accountability

The writer accuses critics of shifting focus from the existential crisis facing the Amhara. However, it is Eskinder’s divisive campaigns that have created a major distraction. His propaganda against prominent Fano leaders has forced activists and supporters to address internal conflicts instead of focusing on external threats. Criticizing Eskinder is not a distraction — it is a necessary step to restore focus and cohesion within the movement.

The article asserts that the diaspora’s failures stem from its inability to produce results and blames critics of Eskinder for these shortcomings. While the diaspora has its challenges, this argument overlooks the role of Eskinder’s divisive influence in exacerbating these problems. His campaigns have undermined trust and unity, making it even harder for the diaspora to mobilize effectively. Criticism of Eskinder is not scapegoating but a call to address a key factor contributing to these challenges.

The Path Forward: Restoring Unity Through Accountability

The writer, Sovereign Voice, concludes by calling on the diaspora to cease its criticism of Eskinder and instead focus on fostering unity. While the appeal for unity is commendable, the approach is fundamentally flawed. Genuine unity cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of division. Eskinder’s actions — fostering discord among Fano leaders and spreading divisive propaganda — have been a significant barrier to achieving cohesion. Holding Eskindir and his associates accountable for these actions is not a distraction but a necessary step toward rebuilding trust, solidarity, and a stronger Amhara movement.

Conclusion

The Amhara people face a dire existential threat that demands unity, focus, and resilience. While the writer, Sovereign Voice, argues that criticism of Eskinder Nega undermines these goals, it fails to acknowledge the harm Eskinder himself and his associates have caused. Their divisive actions and propaganda campaigns have fractured the movement, weakened leadership, and distracted from the broader struggle. Addressing these actions is not a distraction but a necessary step toward restoring unity and strengthening the Amhara struggle.

By addressing the actions of figures like Eskinder and ensuring accountability, the Amhara movement can overcome internal divisions and redirect its energy toward confronting the external threats jeopardizing its survival. True progress requires a foundation of accountability, unwavering solidarity, and a shared commitment to collective action. Only then can the Amhara people succeed in their struggle for survival and secure the justice and security they rightfully deserve.

References:

1. https://medium.com/@sovereign_voice/obsessing-over-eskinder-nega-harms-the-amhara-struggle-19fafd8d351a

2. https://rumble.com/v5bqf9g-322039492.html

3. Rebuttal to Sisay Mulu (Amoraw) on “Eskinder and Zemene…?”

4. Exposing the Blame Shifting in “The Truth About Eskinder Nega and Fano” by Haimy Zewdie