Seven armed factions across Ethiopia have formed a new coalition aimed at unseating the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In a joint declaration released Sunday, the groups announced the establishment of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival—referred to as the Alliance for Survival—which intends to establish an inclusive transitional government to oversee national stability and rights protections.
The alliance encompasses a diverse range of regional forces, including the Amhara Fano National Movement, which has been in conflict with federal troops since 2023, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a former dominant political power. Also joining the coalition is the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), engaged in fighting throughout Oromia since 2018. Additional members include the Ogaden National Liberation Front, the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front, the Benishangul Peoples’ Liberation Movement, and the Gumuz Peoples’ Democratic Movement.
Leadership from these groups reportedly engaged in negotiations for approximately one year before finalizing the pact. Academic Eyob Tilahun noted that these former rivals have opted for dialogue in the perceived interest of public survival, as all participating factions feel their existence is under threat by the current central government.
The move arrives amidst intensifying instability in northern Ethiopia. Tensions have mounted following recent clashes in the Tigray region, which marked a severe violation of the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement. The TPLF formally declared that deal “effectively dead” in mid-July. That agreement had concluded the 2020–2022 civil war, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, though it failed to fully resolve territorial disputes—specifically regarding Western Tigray—or address disarmament protocols.
While Prime Minister Abiy ascended to power in 2018 promising democratic reforms, including the release of political prisoners and the legalization of restricted parties, critics now claim his administration is undoing those improvements. The newly formed alliance specifically accuses the federal leadership of imposing “dictatorial rule” that risks fragmenting the country. The coalition plans to draft a charter to guide a transitional government and facilitate national dialogue.
Historical alliances have been fluid in the region; notably, Fano fighters previously collaborated with federal forces against the TPLF during the Tigray war. Current military leaders, including the OLA’s Jaal Marroo and Fano representative Zemene Kassie, have each signaled progress toward this unification in recent weeks. The federal government has yet to issue a public response regarding the formation of this collective opposition force. The report also notes that a source close to Fano said on Sunday, the groups’ leaders had been talking to form the alliance for about a year. The report also notes that one of the most serious breaches yet of a 2022 peace deal, deepened fears of a return to full-scale war, the announcement comes weeks after clashes in the northern region of Tigray. The report also notes that activists and other political prisoners and revoked bans on many political parties after taking power, he freed journalists. The report also notes that but his opponents and human rights activists accuse his government of reversing those gains in recent years.
