By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
ADDIS ABABA (Dawan), 21 SEP – Seven armed and political groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), on Monday announced the formation of a new alliance opposed to the Ethiopian government.
The coalition, named the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, or Alliance for Survival, said its members would coordinate their political, civic and organisational capacities.
In a statement, the alliance said its objective was to remove the system led by the Prosperity Party and establish an inclusive transitional government in Ethiopia, guided by a transitional charter.
The groups identified in the statement as members of the alliance are:
1. Amhara Fano National Movement (AFMN)
2. Oromo Liberation Army (OLF–OLA)
3. Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)
4. Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
5. Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (Ugugumo)
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6. Benishangul Peoples’ Liberation Movement
7. Gumuz Peoples’ Democratic Movement
The alliance accused the Ethiopian government of plunging the country into war, displacement, poverty and insecurity. It also claimed that law and order had deteriorated and that Ethiopia had lost some of its political and diplomatic influence at the regional and international levels.
The coalition said that if the current government were removed, its principal priorities would include ending conflicts, maintaining national security, guaranteeing human and democratic rights, stabilising the country’s social and economic conditions and improving Ethiopia’s relations with neighbouring countries.
It also called for an inclusive national and constitutional dialogue in which Ethiopians would participate directly to address major political disputes and questions concerning the country’s future.
The Alliance for Survival urged members of the Ethiopian government’s armed forces to leave the government’s ranks and join what it described as “the struggle to save the people and the country.” It also called on civil society organisations and political groups to support its objectives.
The coalition appealed to neighbouring countries, other African states and the international community to stand with the Ethiopian people, justice and democracy.
The announcement comes as Ethiopia continues to face political disputes, armed conflicts and tensions between the federal government and armed groups operating in different parts of the country.