Opposition Parties Form New Coalition Ahead Of 2018 Elections

A group of long-established opposition parties have announced the formation of a new coalition, pledging to contest upcoming national elections as a united front and to wage what they call “a stronger peaceful political struggle than the 1997 election.”

The coalition—formally named Tibebir le’hiopia Andinet (Coalition for Ethiopian Unity)—brings together the All Ethiopian Unity Party, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP), Enat Party, And Ethiopia Democratic Party, as well as Amhara Gionawi Movement Party.

Leaders say the alliance is the product of four years of quiet negotiations and joint work, rather than a hastily assembled pact.

“Our fight will be greater than that of ’97,” said Abraham Haimanot, president of the EPRP speaking with The Reporterreferencing the opposition coalition that briefly gained prominence during the 1997 E.C. election before collapsing in the aftermath of the infamous election period.

“The coalition now involves five parties working together under one name: Alliance for Ethiopia’s Unity. Under this banner, with a common emblem and a united call, we will either participate in an election—if there is one—or decide not to, depending on the circumstances. Of course, certain conditions must exist. Is there electoral credibility today? No, there isn’t. But we are testing the ground and striving to ensure that such credible conditions can exist.”

According to Abraham, the coalition has already submitted its bylaws, program, emblem, and name to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). The Board has accepted the documentation, and will observe the founding congress scheduled for Saturday, October 20, 2025, at the Interluxury Hotel in Addis Ababa. NEBE is expected to issue a certificate of registration following the congress.

Once formally registered, the coalition will contest elections under a single program, emblem, and name, rather than as separate entities.

“EPRP will no longer run under its own identity,” Abraham confirmed. “We will campaign as one force.”

While individual parties will maintain their legal existence and internal structures, leaders emphasized that the coalition will act as a single body in elections and major political struggles.

“This is not like 1997, when parties united within a month and quickly dissolved,” Abraham said. “What we are creating now is the outcome of four years of sacrifice and learning.”

Opposition leaders acknowledged the shrinking political space in Ethiopia, citing arrests of journalists and politicians.

“In practical terms I cannot say that the current regime is keen towards peaceful political opposition,” said Abraham, recalling the ‘Stop the War’ protests organized by opposition parties that led to the arrest of dozens of political figures, including himself.

“While we were calling for peace, they dragged us to court, accusing us of links to Fano and OLF-Shane,” he said. “It is laughable, but it shows the reality. While we were calling for peace, the system dragged us to court.”

Despite alleged repression, leaders of the new coalition insist they will prioritize peaceful struggle, which they argue has greater transformative power than armed resistance.

“Peaceful struggle has never truly been tried in Ethiopia,” Abraham said. “History shows that regimes have been overthrown without a single bullet in many countries. Armed resistance is neither necessary nor wise.”

The coalition frames the Ethiopian 2018 elections as a decisive milestone.

“The Prosperity Party has already proven in the past seven years that it cannot lead this country,” Abraham said. “This regime must be changed through peaceful struggle—there is no question about that.”

Leaders stressed the coalition’s accumulated experience and capacity, pointing to decades of political struggle.

“For instance EPRP brings fifty years of history, the All Ethiopian Unity party thirty years, Enat party has also its own legacy,” Abraham said. “This is a force of unity, one that stands against the narrow ethno-nationalism and ethnic federalism that threaten Ethiopia’s peace and development.”

The coalition has also appealed for international support.

“The people must mobilize, and the international community must give particular attention to the 2018 election,” Abraham urged. “The regime is playing with the people’s fate, distracting them with endless agendas, and misleading the world. We cannot afford to sit idle.”

As Ethiopia heads into a turbulent electoral season, opposition leaders say the coalition is prepared to meet the challenge.

“We are prepared to rise stronger and present a better alternative to liberate our people. Let us organize, unite, and show this year that change is possible through peaceful struggle. Without doubt, a great force is emerging,” Abraham said.