Seven Ethiopian armed groups, including former battlefield enemies, have formed an alliance seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and establish a transitional administration.
The Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, unveiled on Sunday, includes the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the Amhara Fano National Movement, and the Oromo Liberation Army, alongside four smaller groups.
In a joint statement, the groups accused Abiy’s ruling Prosperity Party of imposing “dictatorial” rule and pushing the East African country toward disintegration. “We, the peoples’ forces concerned with the survival of Ethiopia’s peoples, bear the historic responsibility of overthrowing this regime,” they declared. They pledged an inclusive transitional government tasked with ending “all wars” and organizing a national and constitutional dialogue.
The alliance urged government troops and their commanders “to join and become partners in the struggle to save” the country.” It also appealed for support from civic organizations and the international community.
Abiy’s spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, told Reuters on Monday that the groups had long collaborated with financial backing from neighboring Eritrea. Asmara has repeatedly denied allegations of supporting the groups.
The Ethiopian government says its national dialogue aims to address political divisions and internal conflicts.
Ethiopia has struggled to secure lasting stability since a November 2022 peace accord ended the two-year Tigray war, which killed hundreds of thousands. Fano fought alongside federal troops against Tigrayan forces before turning against the government in 2023. The Oromo Liberation Army has fought federal forces since 2018. Renewed clashes and reported drone strikes in Tigray have further undermined the peace accord.
The alliance members pledged to resolve their differences “peacefully.” Amhara and Tigrayan groups have competing claims to Western Tigray, which became part of Tigray when regional boundaries were redrawn in the early 1990s. Amhara nationalists dispute that allocation, and their forces took control of the area during the Tigray war.
The UN said on Monday it is “deeply concerned” by Ethiopia’s worsening security situation, including the formation of the new armed coalition and reports of continued insecurity and drone strikes. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged all sides to avoid actions or rhetoric that could further escalate tensions and recommit to dialogue, saying “military action will not resolve political differences or address underlying grievances.”