Ethiopia's army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Egypt, Sudan, and other foreign powers of supporting armed and political groups seeking to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. In remarks to military media, Birhanu stated that Ethiopia's security challenges are part of a broader strategy by the country's "historical" and "modern" enemies. He claimed that foreign actors have shifted away from direct military confrontation and are instead using financial resources, intelligence, and support for local groups to create instability inside Ethiopia.
Birhanu's comments come days after seven Ethiopian armed and political groups announced the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, an alliance that has pledged to remove Abiy's government and establish an inclusive transitional administration. The coalition includes the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Amhara Fano National Movement, and the Oromo Liberation Army, as well as groups representing the Somali, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. Some of its members were previously on opposing sides during Ethiopia's 2020-2022 Tigray war.
The army chief referred to the new coalition as "Tsimdo", portraying it as a continuation of earlier political and military alliances rather than an entirely new organization. He also accused Eritrea of helping connect foreign powers with armed groups inside Ethiopia. Ethiopian officials have previously accused Eritrea of supporting armed actors in the country, allegations Asmara has denied. Birhanu argued that alleged external support from Sudan, Egypt, and other powers had increased the ability of armed groups to operate.
The emergence of the new alliance has added to concerns over renewed instability in northern Ethiopia. The TPLF and federal authorities have faced renewed tensions despite a 2022 peace agreement that ended the devastating Tigray war. The alliance said it would coordinate the political and organisational capabilities of its members with the stated aim of removing the Prosperity Party-led government and establishing a transitional government under a transitional charter.
The formation of the coalition has brought together groups with different political histories and territorial interests. Fano forces fought alongside the federal government against the TPLF during the Tigray war before later turning against Addis Ababa in the Amhara conflict. The Oromo Liberation Army has also been fighting the federal government in Oromia, while the other alliance members represent different regional political and armed movements.
Birhanu said the new alignment was an attempt to bring together forces that would struggle to challenge the federal government independently. He compared it with earlier political and military arrangements that existed before the fall of the Derg government in 1991. He also argued that the TPLF had historically relied on alliances with political and armed groups and was now seeking cooperation with forces from Amhara and Oromia.
The Ethiopian government has said it is pursuing national dialogue to address longstanding political divisions and conflicts. Meanwhile, the newly formed alliance has called for a transition that it says would end Ethiopia's conflicts and create a more inclusive political system. Birhanu warned that attempts to intensify tensions could have wider consequences for the Tigray region and Ethiopia.
Key points
- Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accuses Egypt, Sudan of supporting armed groups opposing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.
- The Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, a new coalition of armed and political groups, has pledged to remove Abiy's government and establish an inclusive transitional administration.
- The emergence of the new alliance has added to concerns over renewed instability in northern Ethiopia.
