Sep 21·Geo
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Seven Ethiopian rebel groups form alliance to remove PM Abiy Ahmed
Seven armed opposition groups across Ethiopia announced formation of an alliance to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accusing his government of conflict, genocide, and poverty. The coalition, spanning half of Ethiopia's regions, includes the TPLF and OLA, with military and political cooperation planned.
Quick Facts
- Seven opposition groups formed Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival
- Alliance announced intent to remove Abiy Ahmed government
- Groups accused government of war, genocide, mass destruction, poverty
- TPLF stated military and political cooperation with other groups
- Ethiopian Media Authority labeled Tigray TV illegal entity
Related Insights
BREAKING: Seven Ethiopian Rebel Groups Form Alliance to Remove Abiy Ahmed Frontion News · YouTube
Seven Ethiopian armed opposition groups announced on Sunday the formation of a coalition named the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The alliance comprises the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), Amhara Fano National Movement, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front, Benishangul Peoples' Liberation Movement, and Gumuz Peoples' Democratic Movement. These groups collectively control territory across half of Ethiopia's 12 regional states.
The coalition accuses Abiy's government of presiding over armed conflict, genocide allegations, mass destruction, and widespread poverty, warning of Ethiopia's potential disintegration. TPLF spokesman Michael Asgedom stated that cooperation between member groups would be both political and military, with joint operations potentially necessary to achieve their objective. When asked whether participation violated the November 2022 peace accord that ended the Tigray conflict, Asgedom said that agreement was "no longer valid." The Ethiopian Media Authority responded by labeling Tigray TV, which broadcast the announcement, as an illegal entity promoting insurgency.
The alliance brings together groups that have previously fought each other and the federal government across multiple regions. Fano, the Amhara militia, fought alongside federal forces against the TPLF during the Tigray war but turned against the government in 2020 after refusing disarmament orders. The OLA has been in conflict with federal authorities since 2018. Analysts note uncertainty about operational cohesion, with one expert stating the groups were "unlikely to share weapons" given shifting alliances. The ONLF spokesman told the BBC the coalition aims to advance democracy and self-determination for Ethiopia's ethnic communities.
Abiy's government, represented by spokesperson Billene Seyoum, acknowledged the groups had been collaborating informally for some time. Abiy's Prosperity Party retained parliamentary dominance in June's general election, which was boycotted by major opposition parties and saw the Tigray region excluded entirely. The election occurred amid ongoing conflicts in Oromia and Amhara provinces and tensions in Tigray, where a two-year civil war from 2020 to 2022 killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. In July, Abiy told lawmakers he had confidence in Ethiopia's "defensive capabilities" and expressed no fear regarding the nation's sovereignty.
Why This Matters
Seven armed groups controlling territory across half of Ethiopia's regions announced a formal coalition to remove the incumbent government, signaling potential escalation of ongoing regional conflicts. If operational, the alliance could destabilize supply chains, humanitarian access, and refugee flows across East Africa; it challenges the stated legitimacy of June 2025 elections (or 2026 per chronology) that excluded major opposition and the Tigray region. The coalition's claim that the November 2022 peace accord is "no longer valid" raises questions about ceasefire sustainability and international mediation credibility in a country where a 2020–2022 civil war displaced millions.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2018
WireAbiy Ahmed became Prime Minister; Oromo Liberation Army conflict began
Jan 1, 2020
WireTigray civil war began; Fano turned against federal government after refusing disarmament orders
Sep 21, 2026
WireSeven opposition groups announced formation of Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival