Seven Ethiopian armed groups have formed a new alliance aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and establishing a transitional government, according to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press.
The coalition, known as the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, brings together groups from different parts of Ethiopia. Its members include the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Amhara Fano National Movement, Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front, Benishangul Peoples’ Liberation Movement and Gumuz Peoples’ Democratic Movement.
The development is particularly significant because some of the groups were previously on opposing sides of Ethiopia’s conflicts. The TPLF and Amhara Fano, for example, fought on opposite sides during the 2020–2022 Tigray war. The conflict ended with a peace agreement in November 2022.
According to the alliance’s announcement, the groups want to work together to remove the federal government and establish an inclusive transitional administration. TPLF spokesman Michael Asgedom told the Associated Press that cooperation between the groups was both political and military, adding that joint military operations could become necessary.
However, the extent of cooperation between the seven groups remains unclear. The groups have different political objectives, territorial interests and histories of conflict. Reuters noted that some members continue to have disagreements over territory and other issues.
The announcement comes as tensions have also increased in Tigray, where federal forces and Tigrayan fighters have returned to open fighting. The renewed clashes have raised concerns that the peace arrangement reached in 2022 could come under further pressure.
The conflict has already affected civilians. The Associated Press reported that residents of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, described an atmosphere of fear as fighting resumed. Transport routes have been disrupted and internet services have reportedly been affected in parts of northern Ethiopia.
There are also concerns about the possibility of the conflict spreading to other regions. Ethiopia has experienced separate armed conflicts in Amhara and Oromia, while the new alliance includes groups operating across several regions of the country.
The Ethiopian government has also alleged that Eritrea has provided financial support to members of the new alliance. The accusation has been denied by Eritrean authorities.
The formation of the alliance therefore adds another layer to Ethiopia’s already complex security situation. Whether the seven groups can maintain cooperation despite their different interests remains uncertain, but their announcement comes at a time of renewed fighting and heightened political tensions across the country.
