Metekel: A geopolitical flashpoint and catalyst for non-state armed group emergence in Ethiopia

The Metekel Zone in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State has faced ongoing instability, which has allowed non-state armed groups to emerge. Its ethnic federal structure, strategic location, rich resources, and diverse population have made the area especially prone to conflict. This paper uses a qualitative case study, supported by interviews with key informants and secondary sources, to examine how the goals of major actors such as the Gumuz militias, FANO, the federal government, and the Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states interact and clash in a tense political environment. Through an internal geopolitical perspective, the study reveals how leaders have deepened divisions between ‘indigenous’ and ‘non-indigenous’ groups, using historical grievances while ignoring important governance needs. This has created a major security gap that armed groups have filled by presenting themselves as protectors of ethnic interests. Although Amhara communities have historically been the majority in the area, they are still greatly marginalised, especially in Metekel. To address the region's unrest, a clear strategy is needed. This strategy should reassess constitutional arrangements, encourage fair resource management, build trustworthy state institutions, and support inclusive dialogue.