Ethiopia, Sudan close each other’s consulates after civil war rumours

Ethiopia and Sudan closed each other's consulates near their shared border on Wednesday, escalating tensions over accusations that each nation is supporting the other's adversaries. Sudan alleges Ethiopia is aiding the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while Ethiopia claims Sudan is backing rebels in the northern Tigray region. Both sides deny these allegations, raising concerns that the two conflicts could merge into a larger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Sudan reported to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council on Sunday that it has lodged a complaint against Ethiopia. The claim accuses Ethiopia of allowing the RSF to utilize its territory to launch suicide drones targeting civilian infrastructure in Sudan. The Ethiopian prime minister's office did not provide a comment when approached by Reuters.

In response, Ethiopia closed the Sudanese consulate in the border town of Assosa and requested the immediate departure of six diplomats stationed there within 48 hours. Sudan subsequently closed the Ethiopian consulate in the eastern city of Gedaref and expelled the diplomats working there. The Sudanese officials, who wished to remain anonymous discussing a delicate diplomatic matter, did not share the reason behind Ethiopia's decision.

Ethiopia denies involvement in supporting the RSF during Sudan's civil war. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 14 million people, according to UN figures, making it one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises since it began in April 2023. Ethiopia accuses Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea of backing Tigrayan rebels who initiated an offensive against government forces in September. All three countries have denied these allegations.