The Amhara regional government has signed a peace agreement with a faction of the Fano militia, aiming to ease a two-year insurgency.
The deal was concluded Thursday in Bahir Dar under the mediation of the African Union and IGAD.
Officials described the accord as a cautious step toward stability after months of fighting that unsettled northern Ethiopia.
Amhara Regional President Arega Kebede called the agreement a foundation for lasting relief and a test of the federal government’s piecemeal reconciliation strategy.
The accord was signed with the Amhara Fano People’s Organization, represented by its leader, Captain Masresha Sete.
Fano fighters emerged in April 2023 after the federal government attempted to dismantle regional special forces across the country.
Their scattered resistance quickly evolved into a powerful armed movement that seized rural areas and openly challenged federal authority.
The new agreement is seen as a potential break in the insurgency’s momentum by bringing a faction leader into structured dialogue.
Analysts say the move could open space for wider negotiations if other Fano groups see benefits in laying down arms.
However, the broader impact remains unclear as Fano divisions in Gojjam and Wollo continue to fight federal troops.
Uncertainty also hangs over whether Captain Masresha’s faction has enough influence to reshape the conflict’s direction on its own.
Residents in affected areas cautiously welcomed the news but warned that meaningful peace requires commitments from all armed groups.
Humanitarian agencies say the conflict has deepened insecurity and disrupted vital services in many parts of Amhara region.
The federal government has not commented publicly on whether similar talks are being considered with other Fano commanders.
Observers argue that Thursday’s deal may signal the start of a slow, fragile process rather than an immediate turning point.
For many in Amhara, the agreement offers a rare moment of hope amid a conflict that has tested Ethiopia’s political resilience.
