In recent years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has faced mounting resistance not only inside Ethiopia but across diaspora communities worldwide. Among the loudest voices in this global outcry are the Tigrayan and Amhara diasporas. Both groups have organized large protests, mobilized digital campaigns, and attempted to influence international policy. Yet despite facing severe humanitarian crises, the effectiveness of these two diaspora movements has been strikingly unequal.

The Tigrayan diaspora succeeded in shaping global narratives, attracting media attention, and influencing decision-makers with a level of coordination and professionalism rarely seen in Ethiopian politics. The Amhara diaspora, although passionate and rapidly growing, has struggled to match this level of organization and strategic clarity.

This article explores why these differences emerged and what lessons the Amhara diaspora must take forward to strengthen its global advocacy.

The Tigrayan Diaspora: A Masterclass in Strategic Activism

When the war in Tigray began in November 2020, the Tigrayan diaspora launched one of the most coordinated political campaigns in recent Ethiopian history. Their success rested on several pillars:

1. Unified Messaging: A Clear and Powerful Narrative

From the outset, the movement rallied behind a single, emotionally potent slogan:

“Stop the Genocide in Tigray.”

This message was:

• simple,
• morally compelling,
• and easy for foreign policymakers, journalists, and activists to understand.

By presenting the conflict as a humanitarian emergency rather than a complex political dispute, the Tigrayan diaspora seized control of the global narrative early and decisively.

2. Exceptional Media Strategy and Digital Mobilization

Tigrayan activists excelled in Western-style digital advocacy:

• Consistent, powerful hashtags such as #StopTigrayGenocide and #StandWithTigray,
• High-quality visuals, survivor testimonies, and coordinated content drops,
• Strong connections with journalists, NGOs, and influencers,
• A large network of YouTube channels and media outlets that spoke in near-unison against the government.

This sophisticated communication ecosystem helped keep Tigray in the global spotlight for months.

3. Professional Lobbying and Political Engagement

Unlike movements that rely solely on protests, the Tigrayan diaspora built formal advocacy institutions that:

• drafted detailed policy briefs,
• lobbied members of Congress and the European Parliament,
• organized meetings between constituents and officials,
• circulated unified talking points to supporters.

These efforts contributed to significant policy actions, including:

• the U.S. “Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act,”
• and the EU’s suspension of direct budgetary support to Ethiopia.

This level of political sophistication granted the Tigrayan movement direct access to international power centers.

4. Cohesive Leadership and Central Coordination

Despite internal disagreements, the Tigrayan diaspora largely acted as a united front.
Coordination with TPLF-linked structures, regardless of political views, provided:

• strategic guidance,
• disciplined messaging,
• and a recognizable political entity for foreign governments to engage with.

This organizational clarity gave the Tigrayan cause a distinct advantage.

The Amhara Diaspora: Passion Without a Unified Voice

The Amhara diaspora mobilized primarily in response to:

• ethnic-based killings and displacement carried out under the federal government,
• the killing of Amhara civilians by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in various areas of Oromia,
• and the federal government’s disarmament of Amhara Special Forces, which triggered a large-scale conflict and pushed Fano into armed resistance.

While the movement is growing rapidly, it faces unique challenges.

1. A More Complex Narrative to Communicate

Although Amharas face severe atrocities, the nature of their suffering is harder to explain to international audiences. The Amhara narrative involves:

• ethnic-targeted killings,
• government repression,
• OLA attacks,
• political marginalization,
• and constitutional grievances.

Unlike the clarity of “stop the genocide,” this complex reality requires more background knowledge than many outsiders possess.

2. The Fano Challenge: A Resistance Without a Political Wing

The backbone of Amhara resistance is Fano, a decentralized volunteer-based armed movement.

However, Fano:

• has no internationally recognized political structure,
• lacks a unified spokesperson,
• and does not operate as a formal organization.

With no equivalent to the TPLF or an organized regional government, the Amhara diaspora cannot easily lobby on behalf of a recognizable political entity, creating a major strategic disadvantage.

3. Reactive Rather Than Proactive Advocacy

Amhara diaspora activism often mobilizes after atrocities occur rather than shaping the narrative proactively.

This reactive pattern:

• cedes control of the narrative to others,
• makes the movement appear fragmented,
• and prevents the creation of sustained, long-term policy demands.

While the Tigrayan diaspora shaped the global agenda early, the Amhara movement has often been forced into response mode.

4. Internal Divisions and Lack of Institutional Infrastructure

The Amhara diaspora is politically diverse, divided by:

• differing visions for Ethiopia’s future,
• ideological disagreements,
• debates around Ethiopia’s history,
• and competing organizations and personalities.

These divisions:

• weaken advocacy,
• confuse foreign audiences,
• and dilute the movement’s message.

Without strong institutions, think tanks, advocacy groups, and lobbying bodies, the movement remains driven by passion but limited in structural power.

Conclusion: Closing the Gap

The Tigrayan diaspora’s success does not diminish the suffering of the Amhara people nor does it invalidate the legitimacy of Amhara grievances. Instead, it highlights the importance of:

• unified messaging,
• institutional organization,
• strategic communication,
• and coordinated political engagement.

For the Amhara diaspora to strengthen its global influence, it must:

• develop a clear, unified narrative,
• build professional advocacy institutions,
• coordinate messaging across media platforms,
• and shift from a reactive to a proactive strategy.

In the struggle for global awareness and political influence, passion must be paired with organization.
Only then can the Amhara diaspora fully assert its voice on the world stage.