Eskinder Nega
Eskinder Nega | |
|---|---|
| እስክንድር ነጋ | |
Eskinder Nega in 2018 | |
| Leader of the Amhara People's Army | |
| Assumed office 20 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Chairperson of Balderas For Genuine Democracy Party | |
| In office September 2019 – 11 August 2022 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Amaha Dagnew |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 November 1969 |
| Spouse | Serkalem Fasil |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Addis Ababa University |
| Occupation | |
| Awards | Oxfam Novib/PEN Award |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Fano |
| Years of service | 2023–present |
| Commands | Amhara People's Army |
| Battles/wars | War in Amhara |
Eskinder Nega (Amharic: እስክንድር ነጋ, born 7 November 1969) is an Ethiopian politician and rebel leader of the Fano militia.
Born in Addis Ababa to educated parents, Eskinder attended to Stanford School in Addis Ababa then moved to American University to study in college. Upon the Derg regime fall in 1991, he has worked with journalist and blogger. He founded newspapers like Askual, Satenaw, and Menelik. Eskinder has been subjected to conviction and imprisonment by the Ethiopian government under EPRDF rule for alleged treason and terrorism following the 2005 general election. He was also convinced in 2012 for terrorism allegation. A new government under Abiy Ahmed premiership released many political prisoners and opposition leaders behind the government of EPRDF, and he was released in February 2018.
In September 2019, Eskinder founded the Balderas Party and became a chairman thereafter until he left in August 2022. He was again imprisoned during the protest after the murder of singer Hachalu Hundessa in June 2020 for "inciting violence and chaos", and freed in January 2022. In 2023, the disagreement between the Ethiopian government and regional special forces in Amhara region ignited Fano insurgency. Eskinder then formed and led Fano's main command named Amhara People's Army since May 2023.