The Sudanese armed forces have denied allegations made by Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula that Khartoum is backing armed groups fighting Ethiopian troops in the north. In a statement, Sudan's military said they "categorically reject these allegations and consider them baseless", adding that Sudan is committed to international law and good-neighbourly relations. This response comes after Jula accused Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea of supporting forces battling the federal government in Ethiopia's northern Tigray state.
Tensions between Ethiopia's federal government and Tigray authorities have been escalating for months, with fighting renewing between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government. The conflict has raised fears of a return to the devastating civil war that occurred in 2020-2022, which killed over 600,000 people according to African Union estimates. The renewed fighting has stoked humanitarian concerns, with many worrying about the impact on civilians.
Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, in remarks carried by the Ethiopian military's YouTube channel, stated that Ethiopia is confronting forces "organised and allied to serve the interests of external forces". He accused several nations of backing these forces, specifically mentioning Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea. However, Egypt and Eritrea have not publicly responded to these allegations.
Sudan's military has also accused Ethiopia of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group they have been fighting in a war that has raged since April 2023. Khartoum has repeatedly accused Ethiopia of allowing drone attacks to be launched from its territory in coordination with the United Arab Emirates, allegations that both Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi deny.
The tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia have been further complicated by previous accusations. In May, Ethiopia accused the Sudanese army of backing TPLF-linked "mercenaries", a charge that Khartoum denied. The exchange of allegations has added to the already strained relations between the two countries.
The conflict in Tigray has had significant humanitarian implications, with many civilians affected by the fighting. The international community has been closely watching the situation, with the African Union and other organizations calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The situation remains volatile, with a lasting resolution yet to be achieved.
The rejection of Ethiopia's allegations by Sudan's military marks a significant development in the diplomatic tensions between the two countries. With the conflict in Tigray showing no signs of abating, the international community will be watching closely for any further developments. The situation highlights the complex relationships between countries in the region and the challenges of achieving lasting peace.
Key points
- Sudan's military rejects Ethiopia's allegations of supporting Tigray forces.
- The conflict in Tigray has raised fears of a return to the devastating civil war that occurred in 2020-2022.
- The situation highlights the complex relationships between countries in the region and the challenges of achieving lasting peace.
