Tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia reached a boiling point Tuesday after Khartoum pulled its envoy from Addis Ababa, citing drone attacks on its vital airport allegedly orchestrated by its neighbor. Ethiopia swiftly rejected the claims as fabrications, countering with accusations of Sudanese meddling in its internal strife.
The incident unfolded against Sudan’s grinding civil war, where army clashes with paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have devastated the nation since spring 2023, killing thousands and uprooting millions. Monday’s strikes, Sudan says, bore the hallmarks of Ethiopian involvement, with drones traced to Bahir Dar Airport.
Foreign Minister Mohi Al-Din Salem didn’t mince words: Sudan stands prepared for direct engagement and will respond proportionately. ‘We don’t initiate aggression, but we won’t tolerate it,’ he stated. Military spokesman Asim Awad Abdelwahab reinforced the threat, vowing amplified reprisals backed by solid evidence.
From Addis Ababa, the Foreign Ministry decried the ‘false narrative,’ accusing Sudan of breaching its sovereignty through support for TPLF rebels. Ethiopia professed patience thus far, avoiding publicity on Sudanese army-supplied arms fueling western border incursions. Despite fraternal bonds, officials demanded accountability.
Amid the finger-pointing, Ethiopia advocated for urgent ceasefires in Sudan to enable humanitarian aid and pushed for transparent negotiations led by civilians toward permanent stability. Analysts warn this spat could widen Sudan’s war, drawing in Ethiopia’s own fragile peace post-Tigray conflict.
Historical grievances, including Nile water rights and refugee flows, amplify risks. As envoys depart and militaries posture, African Union diplomats scramble for dialogue. The coming days will test whether cooler heads prevail or if proxy battles erupt into open hostilities, reshaping Horn geopolitics.
