The Commander of the Ethiopian Forces Accuses Egypt and Sudan of Supporting Armed Opposition

ADDIS ABABA – The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Egypt and Sudan, as well as other foreign powers, of supporting armed and political groups that he claims aim to challenge the Ethiopian government.

Speaking to the Ethiopian military media, Birhanu Jula stated that the security challenges in Ethiopia are part of a broader strategy being pursued by what he termed the "historical enemy" and the "modern enemy" of the country, which he said have shifted from direct military confrontation.

He mentioned that these powers have changed their tactics, using finance and intelligence to create internal conflict, instability, and obstacles to the progress and exploitation of Ethiopia's natural resources.

The remarks from the ENDF Commander came days after seven Ethiopian groups, both armed and political, announced the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival.

The alliance includes the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the Amhara National Movement (Fano), the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), and other regional groups. These groups stated that they aim to remove the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and establish an inclusive transitional government.

Birhanu Jula referred to this alliance as "Tsimdo," stating that it is a continuation of previous political and military alliances rather than a completely new organization. The commander also accused Eritrea, which he referred to as "Shaebia," of mediating and connecting foreign powers with armed groups inside Ethiopia.

Birhanu stated that the TPLF and Eritrea alone do not have the capacity to challenge the federal government, arguing that external support from Sudan, Egypt, and other powers is crucial for the strength of these groups. Ethiopian officials and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have previously accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups within Ethiopia, allegations that Eritrea has denied.

Birhanu stated that the new alliance is attempting to unify the capabilities of groups that would struggle to operate independently. He also compared the new alignment to the political and military systems that existed before the fall of the Derg regime in 1991.

The ENDF Commander stated that historically, the TPLF has relied on alliances with political and armed groups, noting that it is now seeking cooperation with groups from Amhara and Oromia. He described the new alliance as an attempt to build a broad political and military network similar to the former Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

These remarks come at a time when the security and political situation in northern Ethiopia is once again tense, with involved parties exchanging accusations related to conflicts and military movements in the region. Birhanu Jula also stated that the TPLF has weakened both politically and militarily, warning that any attempt to further escalate tensions could have repercussions for the Tigray region.

He stated that the federal government is cautious about military actions due to the potential consequences that clashes could have on civilians, especially following the Tigray war of 2020–2022. The ENDF Commander also discussed the changes made to the Ethiopian forces since 2018, stating that the capabilities of the forces, security operations, and modernization of defense institutions have been strengthened.

He mentioned that Ethiopia has been trying to enhance its ability to respond to both conventional and unconventional threats while reducing reliance on imported weapons and equipment. Birhanu also stated that the Ethiopian forces have expanded domestic defense production, modernized the Air Force, and invested in digital capabilities, including reconnaissance, targeting, and intelligence systems.