Ethiopia and Sudan Expel Diplomats Amid Cross-Border Security Claims

Ethiopia initiated the rift by closing the Sudanese consulate in Assosa and ordering six diplomats to depart within 48 hours. Sudan responded in kind, shuttering Ethiopia’s consulate in the eastern city of Gedaref and expelling its personnel. These reciprocal measures follow months of mounting friction over alleged cross-border interference.

Sudan formally petitioned the United Nations Security Council and the African Union, claiming that Ethiopia has allowed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to utilize its territory for drone strikes against Sudanese infrastructure. Addis Ababa has categorically rejected these claims. Simultaneously, the Ethiopian government alleges that Khartoum has provided support to Tigrayan rebels, an accusation that Sudan, alongside Egypt and Eritrea, denies.

Despite the diplomatic rupture, officials in Khartoum have signaled a desire to avoid an open military confrontation. Amjad Farid, an adviser to the Transitional Sovereignty Council, stated that while Sudan intends to defend its borders, it is prioritizing efforts to prevent a direct war with its neighbor. Nevertheless, the breakdown in trust complicates humanitarian relief and regional mediation efforts, as both nations struggle to contain their respective domestic crises.