Sudan, Ethiopia order tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions
Tensions escalate as Sudan accuses Ethiopia of hosting RSF drone attacks, Ethiopia accuses Sudan of backing Tigray rebels
Quick Look
- Ethiopia has ordered six Sudanese diplomats to leave within 48 hours and closed Sudan's consulate in Asosa amid escalating tensions.
- Sudan accuses Ethiopia of allowing RSF drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, while Ethiopia claims Sudan backs Tigray rebels.
- Sudan filed complaints with the UN Security Council and African Union Peace and Security Council.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Sudan and Ethiopia tensions have been rising as Sudan accuses the RSF of using Ethiopian territory to launch drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, while Ethiopia claims Sudan is backing rebels in its northern Tigray region. Sudan's military has been fighting the RSF in a civil war since April 2023. Ethiopia previously expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Eritrea on October 1, and expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month. Egypt's dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains a major strategic concern.
Ethiopia has ordered six Sudanese diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours and has also ordered the closure of Sudan's consulate in the border town of Asosa, Ethiopian and Sudanese officials said.
Ahead of the orders, tensions between the countries have been rising as Sudan accuses the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group of using Ethiopian territory to launch drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, while Ethiopia claims Sudan is backing rebels in its northern Tigray region.
On Sunday, Sudan lodged a complaint against Ethiopia with both the United Nations Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council, accusing Ethiopia of allowing the RSF to use its territory to launch deadly drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Sudan.
"The Sudanese government remains committed to its right to defend its territory. Nevertheless, it is making every possible effort to avoid an open war with Ethiopia," Amjad Farid, political and foreign affairs adviser for Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, said.
A direct military confrontation with Addis Ababa would severely strain an already exhausted Sudanese military apparatus, which is still involved in intense battles with the RSF in the southeast of the country.
Sudan's military has repeatedly accused Ethiopia of aiding the RSF, which it has been fighting in a civil war since April 2023. Addis Ababa denies it supports the RSF in Sudan's civil war.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia has accused the Sudanese military of backing rebels linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front, a charge Khartoum denied.
Ethiopia also accused Egypt and Eritrea of supporting the Tigrayan rebels who launched an offensive against government forces in September. All three countries have rejected the accusations.
The latest expulsions of Sudanese diplomats follow Ethiopia's decision to expel 10 Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Eritrea on October 1. Eritrea responded by severing diplomatic ties.
Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month. For Egypt, its dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains a major strategic concern that has long strained relations between the neighbours.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Sudan may retaliate by expelling Ethiopian diplomats or severing diplomatic ties
Likely · Within days
The UN Security Council and African Union Peace and Security Council may review or mediate the Sudan-Ethiopia dispute
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific evidence does Sudan have that Ethiopia is allowing RSF drone attacks from its territory?
- What specific evidence does Ethiopia have that Sudan is backing Tigray rebels?
- Will Sudan retaliate with its own diplomatic expulsions?
- How will the UN Security Council and African Union Peace and Security Council respond to Sudan's complaint?
