The Oromia regional government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) have signed a peace agreement in Addis Ababa after several rounds of talks. The agreement was signed by Oromia President Shimelis Abdisa and former OLA leader Jaal Senay Negasa, with Ethiopian National Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, also present.
Jula expressed appreciation for the decision to pursue peace, highlighting the destructive nature of war and emphasizing the importance of dialogue. He also stated that similar peace efforts would be explored in other conflict areas.
Abdisa acknowledged the role of the defense forces in facilitating the agreement, while Negasa described the peace deal as a significant step for the Oromo people, noting the importance of resolving political differences peacefully.
The peace agreement follows years of conflict involving the OLA, which has been accused of causing violence, including massacres and infrastructure damage. A faction of the OLA, known as Shene, was declared a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian parliament in 2021.
Despite the agreement, some leaders, including Jawar Muhammad, have expressed caution. According to The Wall Africa Journal, concerns remain about the effectiveness of such peace deals, given the unresolved political issues and the challenges faced in previous negotiations.
Past peace agreements have struggled to bring lasting change to the conflict. Issues such as political grievances, repression, and mistreatment of disarmed fighters have fueled mistrust and led to the continuation of insurgency activities. Defections from the OLA, including former commanders like Sagni Nagasa, have had limited impact on weakening the movement.
While the recent peace agreement is a positive development, experts suggest that achieving lasting stability in Oromia will require addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring that commitments made during negotiations are honored.