TPLF, Fano and OLA Join New Armed Coalition Seeking to Challenge Abiy Ahmed’s Government
Seven Ethiopian armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Amhara Fano forces, and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), have reportedly established a joint council aimed at coordinating military and political efforts against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, marking a potentially significant development in Ethiopia’s evolving conflict landscape.
According to reports from local and regional sources, the alliance was formalized in early May following a series of meetings involving representatives of several armed movements operating across different parts of the country. The coalition is said to be working toward a common objective of challenging the federal government and laying the groundwork for a future transitional political arrangement.
The reported alliance brings together groups that have often pursued different political agendas, including the TPLF, Amhara Fano factions, the Oromo Liberation Army, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), and an armed faction from Ethiopia’s Afar region.
Political observers have noted that the participation of the TPLF represents a notable shift in the group’s recent rhetoric. Since relations between Mekelle and Addis Ababa deteriorated following disagreements over the implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement, sections of the TPLF leadership had increasingly focused on Tigray-centered political objectives. Its reported involvement in a broader anti-government coalition has therefore attracted significant attention.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that coalition members agreed to enhance military coordination while also exploring possible political frameworks that could emerge should the alliance succeed in its objectives.
Reports suggest that meetings linked to the coalition may have taken place inside Ethiopia, with some sources pointing to the Tigray regional capital, Mekelle, although details remain difficult to independently verify.
The emergence of the alliance has also fueled speculation regarding regional involvement. Some reports have alleged that Eritrea played a role in facilitating contacts between participating groups, although no official confirmation has been provided by Eritrean authorities.
The allegations come amid growing tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara, as well as increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of the fragile peace process in northern Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian government has dismissed the significance of the reported coalition. Speaking after casting his vote during Ethiopia’s June 1 general election, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said forces seeking to destabilize the country with foreign backing would not succeed.
Meanwhile, prominent Fano commander Zemene Kassie recently called on supporters to prepare for what he described as a decisive phase in the struggle against the federal government. In a public message, he urged Ethiopians to unite against the current administration, describing the political confrontation as entering a critical stage.
The reported coalition emerges at a time of heightened insecurity across several regions of Ethiopia. Armed confrontations continue in parts of Amhara and Oromia regions, while political tensions remain elevated in Tigray despite the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement that formally ended the devastating two-year war between federal forces and the TPLF.
During the recent election period, armed groups in both Amhara and Oromia announced transport restrictions and movement bans, while reports of clashes continued to emerge from multiple locations.
Analysts say the formation of a broader anti-government alliance could further complicate Ethiopia’s security and political landscape, particularly as the country faces ongoing insurgencies, unresolved regional disputes, and growing concerns over national stability.
While the full scope and operational capacity of the reported coalition remain unclear, its formation underscores the persistent challenges confronting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government as Ethiopia navigates one of the most volatile periods in its recent history.