The Qemant (sometimes spelled Kimant) are an ethnic group residing in portions of Amhara region, namely Quara, Chilga, Lay Armachiho, Denbia, Metema, and Gondar Zuria woredas.1Yeshiwas Degu Belay, ‘Kemant (ness): The Quest for Identity and Autonomy in Ethiopian Federal Polity,’ Developing Country Studies, 30 September 2014 A number of Qemant ethno-nationalist movements exist, and their demand for greater autonomy within the Amhara region often leads to violent conflict.
Amhara regional authorities accuse the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of backing violent Qemant ethno-nationalist movements, including the Global Kimant People Right and Justice Movement/Kimant Democratic Party (KDP), by providing “weapons and money.”2BBC, ‘Where will the TPLF and Shane terrorist designation take Ethiopia’s security situation?,’ 11 May 2021 Meanwhile, Qemant groups accuse Amhara ethno-nationalist youth movements, such as the Fano, of perpetrating violence targeting Qemant families during periods of instability.3Claire Wilmot, ‘In Ethiopia’s civil war, violence against civilians is eroding support for the government,’ Washington Post, 18 December 2021 The Global Kimant People Right and Justice Movement/Kimant Democratic Party (KDP) is a member of the anti-government United Front of Ethiopian Federalist and Confederalist Forces (for more on the United Front, see the EPO Monthly: November 2021).
Historically popular political movements in the area include the Qemant Self-Determination and Identity Committee, and the Qemant Democratic Party, both of which advocate for greater autonomy for the Qemant living in Amhara region. As ethnicity is the basis for territorial governance and political organization under Ethiopia’s ethno-federalist system, these political movements argue that areas inhabited by the Qemant ethnic group should hold the status of a special zone within the Amhara region.4Yeshiwas Degu Belay, Kemant (ness): ‘The Quest for Identity and Autonomy in Ethiopian Federal Polity,’ Developing Country Studies, 30 September 2014 In September 2017, of the eight kebeles included in a referendum to determine the administrative jurisdiction of the Qemant people, seven voted to remain under the jurisdiction of the Amhara region – dashing hopes of achieving a special zone status at that time.5Addis Standard, ‘News: Clashes in central Gondar zone claim lives, damage to properties,’ 7 February 2019
Violence involving Qemant ethnic militias has drastically increased since the removal of the TPLF from power and the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Amnesty International estimates that 130 people were reportedly killed in intercommunal violence from January to October of 2019, which also displaced thousands.6Amnesty International, ‘Ethiopia: “Beyond Law Enforcement” Human Rights Violations by Ethiopian Security Forces in Amhara and Oromia [Amharic],’ 29 May 2020, p.6 Reporting on the clashes and targeted violence was sparse – ACLED only records eight reported fatalities in Qemant-inhabited areas during that time period. Clashes resumed again in April 2021 when fighting erupted after a town hall meeting in Aykel town turned violent. In response, federal troops established a military command post in the area to bring sustainable peace.7Addis Standard, ‘Analysis: Many feared dead in renewed violence in central Gonder; authorities blame “Kimant rebels”,’ witnesses blame regional security, 22 April 2021 Security incidents in areas surrounding Gondar city occur occasionally due to activities by ethnic Qemant movements.8Deutsche Welle Amharic, ‘Wednesday Ginbot 20 World News,’ 28 May 2021
After a peace agreement was signed between the Ethiopian government and TPLF in November 2022, the government has attempted to resolve conflicts through peace talks. Hence, in April 2023, the officials stated that from September 2022 to March 2023, more than 1,000 ethnic Qemant militia members surrendered to the Amhara regional government (for more, see the EPO Monthly: March 2023).
This conflict profile was last updated on 05/08/2024.