Controversy clouds newly signed Amhara–Fano peace deal

On Thursday, the Amhara Regional Government and the Amhara Fano People’s Organization announced that they had reached a peace agreement, which regional authorities described as part of a broader effort to end armed confrontations. The deal was concluded in the presence of mediators from both the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The agreement was formally signed by Arega Kebede, President of the Amhara Regional State, and Captain Masresha Setie, representing the Amhara Fano People’s Organization. Officials characterized the accord as “an initial but significant step toward restoring stability in the region.” Both the African Union and IGAD welcomed the development, with the AU describing it as a “landmark peace agreement” between the Amhara Region and the FANO-AFPO.

However, questions about the legitimacy of the deal emerged soon after its announcement. Several prominent figures within the Amhara Fano People’s Organization publicly rejected the agreement. Eskinder Nega, one of the prominent AFPO leaders, stated that the “agreement reached between the Amhara Regional State and the AFPO is absolutely false,” adding that “Masresha was not only suspended as a member of the AFPO leadership but also dismissed from its membership.”

Captain Masresha, a former Ethiopian Air Force officer, was released in 2018 after serving part of a decade-long sentence on charges linked to membership in “anti-government” armed groups. Since then, he has become a notable figure within Amhara’s Fano networks and is among the more publicly recognized leaders associated with the armed groups that grew out of widespread regional protests.

The African Union, which has recently faced heightened scrutiny over its congratulatory statements regarding the re-election of Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, and its endorsement of Tanzania’s controversial election — both of which drew accusations of irregularities and state repression — has come under criticism. Mohamed Kheir, a researcher and analyst, argues that the AU “has become a propaganda machine for Abiy’s Ethiopian regime,” reflecting broader concerns about the organization itself.

Ethiopia has been descending into deeper political and security crisis since the outbreak of the Tigray war. Armed groups have proliferated across the country, and despite the devastating toll of the Tigray conflict, tensions remain high. The federal government and the TPLF have continued to exchange accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement, fueling fears of renewed fighting in Tigray. These concerns come at a time when tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are also escalating, raising further alarm over potential interstate conflict.