Seven anti-government armed factions in Ethiopia have joined forces to establish a unified coalition with the stated objective of unseating the current administration in Addis Ababa. The newly formed entity, designated as the Alliance for Survival, incorporates regional militias and political movements from across half of the country's twelve administrative divisions.
The coalition unites major insurgent organizations including the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army, and the Amhara-based Fano militia, alongside four smaller regional factions. These groups draw their memberships from Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, as well as the Afar, Ogaden, and Benishangul-Gumuz territories.
In a joint statement, the allied groups condemned Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration for steering the nation toward widespread destitution, conflict, and potential fragmentation. Representatives asserted that the government bears responsibility for severe devastation and economic hardship. Central federal officials have not yet issued a formal response to the coalition's formation.
The announcement arrives amid persistent instability across the East African nation. Oromia and Amhara have experienced prolonged internal combat for years, while the northern Tigray zone is currently witnessing renewed friction. A devastating civil conflict in Tigray previously claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions before an African Union-brokered accord halted the violence in late 2022. Despite that truce, mutual accusations of treaty violations have fueled widespread anxiety over a potential resurgence of full-scale warfare.
The political landscape has grown increasingly fractured following recent electoral cycles. Prime Minister Abiy's Prosperity Party maintained its dominant parliamentary majority during general elections held earlier this year. However, the vote was heavily criticized for low opposition participation, allegations of political repression, and the total exclusion of Tigray's six million residents. Both the Fano and the Oromo Liberation Army outright rejected the legitimacy of the election outcome.
Relations between the federal government and regional militias have deteriorated significantly since the conclusion of the Tigray conflict. The Fano militia previously fought alongside state troops against Tigray forces but launched its own rebellion against federal authorities after refusing a mandatory disarmament order. Meanwhile, state forces have been engaged in ongoing hostilities against the Oromo Liberation Army since 2018.
Earlier this year, authorities faced reports regarding potential strategic cooperation between the Tigray leadership and neighboring Eritrea. Prime Minister Abiy subsequently addressed lawmakers to express absolute confidence in the military preparedness of the state. He emphasized that the administration harbors no anxiety concerning national sovereignty, regardless of shifting regional alliances.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
