Seven Ethiopian armed groups, including former enemies, have formed an alliance to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival brings together groups from various regions, including Tigray, Somali Region, Oromia, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz. This diverse coalition aims to challenge the current government, with some groups having fought on opposite sides of the 2020-2022 civil war. The alliance was announced late on Sunday, with spokespeople for Abiy and the federal government yet to respond.
The alliance includes the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Amhara Fano National Movement, which previously fought against each other in the Tigray war. The TPLF and Fano, a coalition of armed groups from the Amhara region, have accused the government of centralising power and marginalising the regions. Fano leader Zemene Kassie read out a statement on Tigrayan television, saying the groups bear the historic responsibility of overthrowing the regime. The government has launched a national dialogue to address longstanding divisions and internal conflicts.
The formation of the alliance follows reported skirmishes between federal and Tigrayan forces. In May, the TPLF reasserted control over the region's political administration, violating the 2022 peace deal that ended the Tigray war. The Ethiopian military has carried out several drone strikes against Tigrayan forces in recent months. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, these strikes have been part of the ongoing tensions between the federal government and Tigrayan forces.
The Ethiopian government has not commented on the reported drone strikes. However, the military announced that nearly 300 Tigrayan fighters had surrendered to it last week. The government has also accused Eritrea of supporting insurgent groups, including the TPLF and Fano. Eritrea has denied these allegations, amid a complex web of regional relationships and rivalries.
The new alliance brings together groups with differing interests and agendas. Some members, such as the TPLF and Fano, remain at loggerheads over territory and other issues. An adviser to Abiy previously stated that any coalition of armed groups would seek to cause chaos but would not be able to overthrow the federal government. The alliance's announcement has raised concerns about the potential for further conflict and instability in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival represents a significant development in the country's ongoing political and military tensions. With a geographically and ethnically diverse membership, the alliance poses a challenge to the federal government's authority. The situation remains fluid, with the government yet to respond to the alliance's announcement. International observers are watching closely, as the region's stability is crucial for the country's progress.
The alliance's formation and the ongoing tensions between the federal government and regional forces have significant implications for Ethiopia's future. The government's national dialogue aims to address longstanding divisions, but the emergence of this alliance suggests that more work needs to be done to address the root causes of the country's conflicts. The situation will likely continue to evolve, with the international community monitoring developments closely.
Key points
- The Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival includes groups from various regions, such as Tigray, Somali Region, Oromia, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz.
- The alliance aims to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, citing concerns about centralisation of power and regional marginalisation.
- The formation of the alliance follows reported skirmishes between federal and Tigrayan forces, and drone strikes against Tigrayan forces by the Ethiopian military.
