SNLF Escalates Political Challenge to Abiy Ahmed Amid Renewed Tigray War and Eritrea Crisis

The Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF) has issued a new political statement as fighting intensifies across northern Ethiopia and tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara reach their highest level in years.

The group accused the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of allowing multiple conflicts — in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia — to deepen while relations with Eritrea deteriorate rapidly.

According to the SNLF, the current crisis is no longer confined to Ethiopia’s internal politics and risks developing into a broader Horn of Africa confrontation involving neighbouring states.

SNLF Highlights Role in New Opposition Coalition

A central part of the statement focuses on the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, the opposition coalition formed in September by armed groups from several regions.

The alliance includes the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano National Movement, alongside other organisations. Its declared objective is to remove Abiy Ahmed’s government and establish a transitional political arrangement.

The SNLF also claimed that recent drone and missile attacks carried out by opposition forces were directed at military facilities rather than civilians. That remains the group’s account, and the targets and effects of all such attacks have not been independently verified.

Mekelle Returns to Government Control

The statement was issued as the military balance in Tigray shifted again.

Federal government-aligned forces regained control of Mekelle on October 4 after TPLF-linked fighters withdrew from the regional capital. The TPLF confirmed its retreat and said its regional administration would temporarily relocate.

Fighting continued after the change of control, with airstrikes and artillery reported in areas including Adwa, Sheraro and near the Tekeze River.

Eritrea Dispute Adds Regional Dimension

The SNLF also devoted significant attention to Ethiopia’s confrontation with Eritrea.

Asmara severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia on October 1 after Addis Ababa accused Eritrea of supporting anti-government forces. Eritrea has denied those allegations. 

The SNLF argued that the worsening relationship increases the risk that Ethiopia’s internal conflict could expand beyond its borders.

The group ended its statement by calling for political change in Addis Ababa and urging international actors to support an inclusive transition.

Several casualty figures, financial allegations and battlefield claims contained in the SNLF statement remain claims made by the organisation and are not independently verified figures.