Why Have Ethiopia and Sudan Closed Each Other’s Consulates Amid Civil War Allegations?

Ethiopia and Sudan have closed each other’s consulates near their shared border following escalating accusations of interference in each other’s internal conflicts, further worsening diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries.

The diplomatic fallout has heightened concerns that the ongoing conflicts in both countries could spill across borders and trigger a wider regional crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia and Sudan Expel Diplomats Amid Rising Tensions

According to officials, Ethiopia shut down the Sudanese consulate in the border town of Assosa and ordered six Sudanese diplomats stationed there to leave the country within 48 hours.

Although an Ethiopian official confirmed the decision, no official reason was provided for the closure.

Sudan subsequently retaliated by shutting down the Ethiopian consulate in the eastern city of Gedaref and expelling the diplomats working at the facility, according to two Sudanese officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The reciprocal closures represent another significant deterioration in relations between the two countries.

Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of Supporting RSF

The diplomatic dispute is closely linked to allegations that both governments are supporting armed groups fighting against their respective authorities.

Sudan has accused Ethiopia of providing support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting the Sudanese military since April 2023.

On Sunday, Sudan’s government said it had submitted a complaint against Ethiopia to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

The complaint accused Ethiopia of allowing RSF fighters to use its territory to launch suicide drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Sudan.

However, Ethiopia has denied supporting the RSF, and its prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Ethiopia Accuses Sudan of Backing Tigrayan Rebels

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has accused Sudan, alongside Egypt and Eritrea, of supporting Tigrayan rebels involved in renewed fighting against Ethiopian government forces.

The accusations followed an offensive launched by Tigrayan forces in September.

The three countries have denied supporting the rebels, adding another layer of tension to an already fragile regional security situation.

The competing allegations have raised concerns that the conflicts could become interconnected, drawing neighbouring countries into a broader confrontation.

Sudan Seeks to Avoid Direct War With Ethiopia

Despite the growing diplomatic tensions, Sudan has indicated that it does not want the dispute to escalate into an open military confrontation with Ethiopia.

Amjad Farid, political and foreign affairs adviser to Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, said the government remained committed to defending its territory but was making efforts to prevent a direct war.

His remarks suggest that Sudan is seeking to manage the diplomatic crisis without opening another military front.

Sudan’s Civil War Deepens Regional Humanitarian Concerns

The diplomatic dispute comes as Sudan continues to experience one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

The civil war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, has displaced more than 14 million people, according to United Nations figures.

The conflict has devastated communities, disrupted essential services and created widespread humanitarian needs.

With Ethiopia also facing security challenges involving Tigrayan rebels, the growing hostility between the two countries threatens to complicate efforts to stabilise the Horn of Africa.