Ethiopia's Tigray and Oromo groups unite to challenge Abiy Ahmed's government

A coalition of Ethiopia’s main armed opposition groups announced tonight that they will unite to try to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed before the country’s June 5 parliamentary election. The alliance was declared in Addis Ababa by representatives of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army, the Afar Liberation Front and several smaller militias. Their statement said they will coordinate political and military actions to force a change of government.

The move comes after three years of war in the north, a failed peace deal and a wave of protests that have crippled the economy. Abiy’s reforms sparked hope in 2018, but the conflict in Tigray, the crackdown on dissent and soaring inflation have eroded his popular support. The opposition groups say the election is being held under an unfair environment and that a united front is the only way to prevent another round of violence. International observers have warned that the vote could be marred by intimidation and fraud.

The alliance includes the TPLF, which was pushed out of power after a two‑year war that left more than 100,000 dead, and the Oromo Liberation Army, which has been fighting government forces in the Oromia region since 2021. The Afar Liberation Front, long sidelined in national politics, joined to protect its community’s interests. The coalition’s spokesperson said they will form a joint command centre and share intelligence. Ethiopia’s government has dismissed the alliance as a “dangerous plot” and warned of a “lawful response” to any armed challenge. The United Nations’ deputy chief of the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, speaking on the spill‑over risk, urged all sides to avoid further destabilisation of the Horn of Africa.

If the alliance can sustain its cooperation, it could force the government to renegotiate the election timetable or agree to a broader political dialogue. Analysts warn that a split vote could trigger renewed fighting, especially in Tigray and Oromia. International donors are watching closely, as renewed conflict could jeopardise aid programmes and threaten regional security. The next weeks will test whether the coalition can move from rhetoric to action, and whether Abiy’s administration can contain a challenge that threatens the country’s fragile peace.