Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) declared that the newly formed alliances among various armed groups are a clear sign of their growing desperation. He pointed out the striking irony of the situation, noting that factions that once pleaded with the government for protection against one another have now formed what he called an "unholy alliance." According to the prime minister, armed groups operating across the Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray regions have realized they cannot defeat the federal government. Now, out of sheer weakness, these desperate forces are even inviting external intervention from foreign actors like Eritrea and Sudan.
In a sweeping interview with the Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), PM Abiy broke down the root causes of the ongoing security challenges in Ethiopia and specifically in the Oromia region. The prime minister attributed the friction to the natural growing pains of a political transition and a major shift in the country's center of power. He explained that the faction that previously ruled Ethiopia single-handedly has refused to accept the country’s new, all-inclusive political direction. Their relentless efforts to seize power by force remain a primary driver of the current conflicts. However, PM Abiy emphasized that a diverse nation like Ethiopia, rich in different faiths, languages, and cultures, can no longer be dominated by a single ethnic group or faction. To move forward, he urged the public to reject destructive, distorted narratives in favor of a unifying path that reconciles everyone and champions better ideas.
Turning to the specific situation in Oromia, the prime minister did not mince words. He stated that the armed factions hiding in the region's forests lack any real political vision, operating instead with the sole purpose of killing innocent civilians and looting. Yet, the tide appears to be turning. Recognizing the devastating toll of the conflict, thousands of militants are laying down their weapons every day, choosing the path of peace and reintegrating into society. The prime minister reassured the public that the government's commitment to peaceful dialogue remains unchanged, and the door for peace will never be closed to anyone willing to pursue their goals without violence.
Drawing a sharp contrast, PM Abiy highlighted that the veteran politicians who originally pioneered and organized the Oromo struggle have since returned home, peacefully contributing to the nation through parliament and the business sector. He urged the youth and the broader public to pause and think critically about whose hidden agendas the current forest-dwelling groups are truly serving. Reaffirming that true democracy can never be built through the barrel of a gun, he described the ruling Prosperity Party as a coalition driven by competent ideas rather than ethnic divisions. Ultimately, he stressed, any political group hoping to achieve its goals must do so the right way, by convincing the public and succeeding at the ballot box.
