Seven Ethiopian rebel groups form new alliance

In a recent development, seven Ethiopian rebel groups have united to form an alliance called the Alliance for Survival. The groups aim to overthrow the government in Addis Ababa, accusing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration of causing "war, genocide, mass destruction, and utter poverty." They argue that Ethiopia risks disintegration.

The newly formed coalition includes the Fano militia in Amhara, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and four smaller groupings from Ogaden, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. Prior to this alliance, the Fano group collaborated with federal forces during the Tigray war before turning against the government in an armed rebellion shortly after the conflict ended.

The OLA has been under attack by the federal government since 2018. The alliance's formation comes amid rising tensions in various parts of Ethiopia, including Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray, regions that have witnessed years of armed conflict. Although an African-Union peace deal ended the two-year civil war in Tigray in 2022, there have been growing concerns about the possibility of another full-scale conflict.

The government has also accused the TPLF of breaching the agreement. The announcement of the Alliance for Survival marks a significant development in Ethiopia's political landscape, following the recent national elections in June. Despite participating in the polls, the Fano and OLA groups boycotted the results, citing issues of repression and limited involvement by opposition parties.