Ethiopia's armed groups form anti-government alliance

Seven Ethiopian armed groups have formed an alliance with the stated aim of toppling Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and establishing a transitional administration, according to reports. The alliance includes former adversaries from the 2020 civil war, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 600,000 people, as well as other armed factions from across the country, all of whom have been engaged in separate conflicts with federal forces. The announcement comes on the eve of International Peace Day and raises concerns about the potential for regional instability, particularly with the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the involvement of third-party actors such as Eritrea. France24 reports that the alliance's formation underscores the deepening political and military tensions within Ethiopia, while Al Jazeera highlights fears that the situation could lead to renewed civil conflict. The development has drawn attention from international observers, who are closely monitoring the situation for any signs of escalation.