Seven Ethiopian armed groups said they have formed a new alliance opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government, bringing together factions that were on opposing sides of the 2020–2022 Tigray war, Reuters reported on September 21.
The newly announced Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival includes the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Amhara Fano National Movement, as well as groups from Oromia, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz and other regions. In a statement broadcast on Tigrai TV and published by several member groups, the alliance said its objective was to remove the current federal government.
Prime Minister Abiy’s spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, said the groups had already been collaborating and alleged that Eritrea was providing financial support. Eritrea did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment and has previously denied similar allegations.
The announcement comes amid renewed tensions in Tigray and reported clashes involving federal and Tigrayan forces. International Crisis Group analyst Magnus Taylor told Reuters that effective cooperation was uncertain because of geographic distance, political differences and the relative weakness of some members.
The declaration establishes an announced alliance; it does not by itself show that the seven groups have developed a unified command or an effective joint fighting force.