Ethiopian Rebel Alliance Forms to Challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Seven armed groups have united in a new alliance, promising to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and establish a transitional administration.
Key points
- Seven Ethiopian armed groups, including the TPLF and Fano, formed a new alliance to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
- Recent fighting in Tigray included drone strikes on schools and the seizure of Mekelle International Airport by Tigrayan forces.
- The federal government accuses the alliance members of receiving financial support from Eritrea, a claim Asmara denies.
Seven Ethiopian armed groups have announced the formation of a new political and military coalition, pledging to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power. The Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival brings together diverse movements, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Amhara Fano National Movement, marking a significant escalation in the country's ongoing internal conflicts.
According to Al Jazeera English, the alliance does not yet constitute a single, coherent military force capable of capturing the capital. Instead, it creates a shared political framework that links several separate regional conflicts, potentially forcing them into a unified military calculation against the federal government.
Recent Escalations in Tigray
Tensions have intensified sharply in the Tigray region. On Tuesday, drones struck two schools in Alamata, southern Tigray, killing 14 civilians and wounding 22, according to the local mayor. By Wednesday, Tigrayan forces had seized Alula Aba Nega International Airport in Mekelle, with staff reporting that all flights were suspended.
The founding statement of the alliance, read by Fano commander Zemene Kassie on Tigrayan television, lists seven participating groups. These include the Oromo Liberation Army, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, and several other regional liberation movements, all united by their opposition to the current federal leadership.
Legacy of the Pretoria Agreement
The current unrest is rooted in the aftermath of the 2020-2022 war between the federal government and the TPLF. The Pretoria agreement, signed in 2022, established a cessation of hostilities but left key territorial disputes unresolved, particularly regarding Western Tigray. Critics argue that excluding Eritrea and Amhara forces from the negotiations created conditions for renewed conflict.
In May, the TPLF restored its pre-war legislative council and installed its chairman as regional president, effectively creating a rival political authority. This move was followed by clashes near the Sudanese border in August, where heavy artillery and drones were reportedly used, signaling a breakdown in the fragile peace.
Accusations of Foreign Involvement
Prime Minister Abiy’s spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, has accused members of the new alliance of collaborating with Eritrea and receiving financial backing from Asmara. These accusations have been repeatedly denied by the Eritrean government, adding a layer of geopolitical complexity to the domestic conflict.
The alliance promises a transitional administration once Abiy is removed from power. However, analysts note the challenge of coordinating seven groups with different enemies, territorial claims, and historical grievances into a single effective front.
