Nine rebel groups coalesce in opposition to Ethiopia’s government

Nine rebel groups in Ethiopia have formed a coalition against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as opposition forces advance towards the nation’s capitol, reports Reuters.

The news comes as the U.S. voices concerns for citizens in the embattled nation.

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa announced Thursday that all nonemergency government personnel, as well as family members of any American serving in Ethiopia, could voluntarily depart the country amid warnings of “armed conflict, civil unrest, and supply shortages” were given.

Reuters said it was not clear if all of the rebel groups in the coalition were armed.

Two of the groups — the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Agaw Democratic Movement (ADM) — confirmed that they were forming this alliance to Reuters and told the outlet that they will sign a pact solidifying this in Washington on Friday. 

The alliance is to be called the United Front of Ethiopian Federalist and Confederalist Forces. 

The groups have said, according to Reuters, that this coalition is being merged “to reverse the harmful effects of the Abiy Ahmed rule on the peoples of Ethiopia and beyond and in recognition of the great need to collaborate and join forces towards a safe transition.” 

The Biden Administration earlier this week announced that Ethiopia was to be removed as a beneficiary country in the African Growth and Opportunity Act that provides duty-free access to the U.S.