Ethiopia’s new governing Prosperity Party (PP) has been labelled "illegitimate" by a new coalition of groups, including the once powerful Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF used to be part of the governing coalition, made up of four ethnically based parties.

But it has refused to join Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s new grouping, which was supposed to be a merger of the four parties.

The TPLF is now part of a new alliance of 50 ethnically based parties which have been meeting in Tigray’s main city, Mekelle.

In a joint communique, the alliance warned that Ethiopia is on the verge of disintegration.

Last month, Mr Abiy hailed the creation of the PP as a "crucial step in harnessing our energy to work toward a shared vision".

But the TPLF’s refusal to become part of the PP highlighted problems for the prime minister.

He faces his first electoral challenge next year when his vision of a country that is unified on the one hand and ethnically diverse on the other will be tested.

The PP still needs to be registered with the electoral commission.