Seven armed groups in Ethiopia have formed an alliance aimed at challenging the country’s federal government, raising concerns about renewed large-scale conflict.
According to AFP, the alliance includes Tigrayan forces, Amhara nationalist Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army alongside four other groups.
“We just formed an alliance, we are collaborating with several groups and our objectives are to remove the regime and facilitating a transitional government,” Tigray People’s Liberation Front Vice President Amanuel Assefa said.
He added that the groups had been holding talks for more than a year before reaching the agreement.
Fano leader to head alliance
Amanuel said Fano leader Zemene Kasse would chair the newly formed alliance.
The development comes amid growing tension in Ethiopia, where federal forces and the TPLF have reportedly increased troop deployments near the northern region.
The African Union has warned that the military movements could raise the risk of renewed fighting following the devastating Tigray war.
The previous conflict, which ended with a peace agreement in 2022, killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Alliance faces internal divisions
Regional analyst Kjetil Tronvoll expressed doubts that the coalition could successfully overthrow the federal government, citing Ethiopia’s military capabilities, including its drone fleet.
However, he said coordinated fighting across several fronts could place considerable pressure on government forces.
Questions also remain over the relationship between some members of the alliance.
Fano militias previously fought alongside federal troops against Tigrayan forces during the Tigray war, while territorial disputes remain between Amhara and Tigray.
Amanuel said the groups intend to address their differences through dialogue.
The Ethiopian government had not responded to AFP’s request for comment at the time of the report.
