Seven Ethiopian rebel groups have formed a new alliance, dubbed the Alliance for Survival, in a bid to remove the government in Addis Ababa. The groups, which have been fighting the Ethiopian authorities in different parts of the country, accuse Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government of presiding over "war, genocide, mass destruction, and utter poverty". They claim that Ethiopia is at risk of disintegration.
The alliance brings together the Fano militia in Amhara, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and four other smaller groupings based in Ogaden, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. These regions make up half of Ethiopia's 12 regional states. The groups have been fighting the government in various parts of the country, with the OLA and Fano group fighting alongside federal forces during the Tigray war before turning against the government.
The announcement of the Alliance for Survival coalition comes months after reports of an alleged alliance between TPLF and neighbouring Eritrea. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded by saying he had faith in Ethiopia's "defensive capabilities". He told lawmakers in July that even if others were added, he did not have an iota of fear regarding Ethiopia's sovereignty.
Ethiopia has faced years of armed conflict in Oromia and Amhara, the most populous states in the country. There have also been renewed tensions in the northern Tigray region, where a two-year civil war left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. An African-Union peace deal ended that war in 2022, but there have been fears of a return to a full-scale conflict.
The Fano and OLA rebel groups rejected the general election held in June, which saw Abiy's Prosperity Party retain its overwhelming parliamentary majority. The Tigray region and its six million inhabitants were completely excluded from the poll. The groups claim that the election was overshadowed by conflict, accusations of repression, and little participation by opposition parties.
The new alliance is a significant development in the country's ongoing conflict. The groups have been fighting the government for years, and their alliance is likely to escalate tensions. The federal authorities have not yet responded to the announcement, but it is likely that they will take action to counter the alliance.
The situation in Ethiopia remains volatile, with many fearing a return to full-scale conflict. The international community has been watching the situation closely, with the African Union playing a key role in trying to broker peace. The formation of the new alliance is likely to complicate efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country.
Key points
- The seven rebel groups have formed an alliance to remove the government in Addis Ababa.
- The groups accuse the government of presiding over "war, genocide, mass destruction, and utter poverty".
- The alliance brings together groups based in several regions, including Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray.
