Photo of AU Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi, IGAD Deputy Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, Arega Kebede—the puppet head of the Amhara regional state—and Masresha Sete—a dismissed former Fano member.

By: Eyob Tilahun

The credibility of the AU and IGAD has come under serious scrutiny after they promoted the Abiy regime’s deceptive propaganda, claiming that one faction of Fano had signed a peace deal—when, in reality, no agreement exists with Fano as an organisation.

Amid mounting military and diplomatic setbacks, Abiy Ahmed’s government announced on 4 December 2025 a so-called “peace agreement” with Masresha Sete, a former member dismissed from the Amhara Fano People’s Organisation (AFPO), falsely presenting him as a representative of the organisation.

Of course, such propaganda from the Abiy regime is neither new nor surprising. What is surprising, however, is the involvement of the AU and IGAD in this staged drama. By aligning themselves with Abiy Ahmed’s government, both the African Union and IGAD have seriously undermined their credibility.

Critics argue that their involvement in brokeringany future negotiations with Fano freedom fighters or other groups is unacceptable, citing a track record of supporting the Abiy administration’s false propaganda. Once credibility is lost, it is difficult to restore.

Persistent claims suggest that IGAD Secretary-General Workneh Gebeyehu, perceived as aligned with Ethiopia’s government, influenced both the African Union and IGAD to endorse the Abiy administration’s false-flagged “peace agreement” propaganda.

To be clear, the leader of the Amhara Fano People’s Organisation (AFPO) is Arbegna Eskinder Nega, while the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) is led by a central command that includes Arbegna Zemene Kassie and others. The two Fano factions are now moving toward unification, aiming to form a single hierarchical political and military command.

Masresha Sete and his associate Mesfin Abate were officially dismissed from Fano membership on 29 November 2025 amid strong allegations that they had joined the organisation under a covert mission from Abiy’s regime. In short, Masresha returned to the regime after his covert mission in Fano was exposed and took part in a staged propaganda ceremony.

The matter did not end there. AFPO issued a press release urging the AU and IGAD to explain why they were misled into endorsing Abiy’s propaganda, demanding that the situation be corrected and the truth be told: AFPO had not participated in any “peace deal” with the regime.

The key question for the AU and IGAD is this: if AFPO did not participate, who signed the so-called agreement, and were they merely facilitating a deal between a dismissed Fano member and the regime?

The difficult question for the AU and IGAD remains: if AFPO has stated that it did not participate in any “peace agreement” with Abiy’s regime, then who were the delegates from the two warring parties who signed the so-called ‘‘peace agreement’’ under their brokering? Does this mean their role was reduced to facilitating a deal between a dismissed former Fano member and the regime?

In one way or another, the AU and IGAD have dealt potentially irreversible damage to their credibility, both in Africa and globally, by endorsing Abiy’s fraudulent propagandatied to the war in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. They still bear the responsibility of rectifying the situation and presenting the truth to the international community.

The African Union Press Release

The African Union (AU) today witnessed and welcomed a significant step towards lasting peace in Ethiopia with the signing of a sustainable peace agreement between the Amhara National Regional State and the Amhara FANO Popular Organization (FANO-AFPO).

The signing ceremony, held in Addis Ababa, was attended by H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who represented the continental body, and Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

In her statement at the event, the Deputy Chairperson commended the parties for their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution. She emphasized that this agreement represents a crucial milestone not only for Ethiopia but for the entire African continent.

“Each peace agreement inches us closer to achieving our goal of Silencing the Guns in Africa,” stated H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi. “On behalf of the African Union, I congratulate the parties for reaching this important milestone. This achievement demonstrates the power of African-led solutions to African challenges”.

The African Union reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the implementation of this agreement and the broader peace in Ethiopia.