Seven Ethiopian political and armed opposition groups have formed a new alliance seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and establish an inclusive transitional administration.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Somali Report) — Seven Ethiopian political and armed opposition groups have announced a new coalition seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and establish an inclusive transitional administration, in a move that brings together factions with differing regional interests and a history of conflict.
The newly formed Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival said its members had agreed to coordinate their political activities and organizational efforts in response to what they described as Ethiopia's worsening political, security and economic conditions.
The alliance brings together the Amhara Fano National Movement, Oromo Liberation Army, Tigray People's Liberation Front, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front, Benishangul Peoples' Liberation Movement and Gumuz Peoples' Democratic Movement.
In a joint declaration, the groups accused Abiy's administration of prolonging conflicts, concentrating political power and failing to address the country's economic difficulties. They said they had taken what they described as a historic responsibility to seek a change of government.
The coalition said its proposed alternative would be a transitional administration operating under a new political framework. It said the transitional authorities would be expected to organize an inclusive constitutional process involving different political and ethnic groups.
The announcement brings together organizations that have pursued separate and, at times, conflicting agendas in Ethiopia's complex political landscape.
The TPLF fought federal forces during the two-year Tigray conflict that began in 2020. Fano fighters in Amhara initially fought alongside federal forces against the TPLF but later turned against Abiy's government after the Tigray war ended.
Fighting between government forces and Fano has continued in Amhara since 2023, while the federal government has also been engaged in a long-running conflict with the OLA in Oromia.
The inclusion of the ONLF and groups representing Afar and Benishangul-Gumuz adds a wider geographic dimension to the alliance, extending its membership beyond the areas where Ethiopia's most intense armed conflicts have taken place.
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However, the coalition has yet to provide details on how its members would coordinate their military activities or resolve differences over issues including federalism, regional autonomy, territory and political representation.
The groups have previously held discussions about cooperation against the federal government, but their different political objectives and regional priorities have remained obstacles to forming a unified opposition front.
The announcement also comes after Ethiopia's latest parliamentary elections, in which Abiy's Prosperity Party secured a large majority of seats. Voting was not held in some areas affected by conflict and insecurity.
Abiy became prime minister in 2018 after widespread protests led to political changes within Ethiopia's ruling coalition. He later formed the Prosperity Party, replacing the coalition that had dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades.
Since taking office, his government has faced several armed insurgencies and political disputes, including the Tigray war and continuing violence in Amhara and Oromia.
The federal government has defended its security operations as necessary to preserve national stability and territorial integrity, while opposition groups have accused it of excessive centralization and failing to resolve longstanding political grievances.
The new alliance now faces the challenge of maintaining cooperation among groups with different histories, political demands and regional bases.
Its ability to establish a common political program and coordinate its members will determine how much influence the new coalition can exert against Abiy's government.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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