Seven Ethiopian Rebel Groups Form New Alliance

Several rebel groups in Ethiopia have announced the formation of an alliance aimed at removing the government in Addis Ababa. This coalition, named the Alliance for Survival, includes the Fano militia from Amhara, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and four other smaller groups. The alliance accuses Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government of causing "war, genocide, mass destruction, and utter poverty," and claims that Ethiopia is at risk of disintegration. Federal authorities have not yet responded to the announcement. Ethiopia has experienced years of armed conflict, particularly in the Oromia and Amhara regions. The Tigray region has also seen renewed tensions following a two-year civil war that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions displaced. An African Union peace deal concluded that conflict in 2022, but concerns remain about a potential return to full-scale war, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. The new alliance also includes groups from Ogaden, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz, representing half of Ethiopia's 12 regional states. The Fano group previously fought alongside federal forces during the Tigray war but turned against the government in an armed insurgency after refusing orders to disarm. The government has been in conflict with the OLA since 2018. The announcement of the Alliance for Survival comes months after reports of a potential alliance between the TPLF and Eritrea. Prime Minister Abiy has expressed confidence in Ethiopia's defensive capabilities, stating that he does not fear for the country's sovereignty. In June, Ethiopia held a general election in which Abiy's Prosperity Party maintained a parliamentary majority, despite the election being marred by conflict and accusations of repression, with low participation from opposition parties. The Fano and OLA groups rejected the election results, and the Tigray region was excluded from the poll.