Ethiopian rebel alliance is 'impotent' - government

By Mary Harper

The Ethiopian authorities have described as "impotent" an alliance of nine anti-government groups formed to fight federal forces and their allies.

"We are not surprised," said government spokesman Kebede Desissa. He claimed the new coalition had no support and was the "weakest political force" in the country.

"These rebel groups are baseless. They have no social bases - and they have been there for the past 40 years or so without having the capacity to change anything."

Mr Kebede added that he regarded current events as "normal Ethiopian politics", because "whenever there is a need for political stability in the country, Ethiopian diasporas come together and form an alliance thinking that the government cannot stay in power and the government is weakened".

The Oromo Liberation Army, which is part of the alliance, says the aim is to oust the government of Abiy Ahmed and establish an interim administration.

Tigrayan forces are advancing towards the capital Addis Ababa.

The military has called on former soldiers to re-join the army.

This article originally appeared in BBC News.

Photo: AFP.