 In July 2003 ARDUF became a member of the newly formed UEDF coalition, in opposition to the ruling EPRDF party.Soon after, on 20 September 2003, it issued a warning against foreigners entering the northern area of Afar Region for the purpose of demarcating the eastern part of the Ethiopian-Eritrean border, as it would be against the party's policy of Afar unity, who live on both sides of the eastern border