Ethiopia Rejects Sudan Military Claims, Alleges Cross-Border Support for Armed Groups

Mintesinot Niggusie

Ethiopia has dismissed accusations made by Sudan's military leadership, escalating tensions between the two neighbours as conflict in Sudan continues to spill across borders.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected what it described as "baseless accusations" raised during a joint press conference by the Sudanese Armed Forces, the country's foreign minister and its military spokesperson. The ministry said it had exercised restraint despite what it called repeated violations of Ethiopia's territorial integrity linked to the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

Addis Ababa alleged that elements within Sudan's military establishment have provided arms and financial backing to fighters affiliated with the Tigray People's Liberation Front, describing their presence in Sudan as "a matter of public record". It said these groups had carried out incursions along Ethiopia's western frontier.

The statement further accused Sudan of serving as a base for anti-Ethiopian forces, adding that recent allegations from Sudanese officials were driven by "external patrons" pursuing their own interests. It did not identify the actors involved.

Relations between Ethiopia and Sudan have been strained in recent years, particularly along their contested border and amid wider regional instability. The latest exchange comes as Sudan's civil war, which began in April 2023, continues without a clear resolution.

Despite the accusations, Ethiopia said it remained committed to its longstanding ties with the Sudanese people. It renewed calls for dialogue between the warring parties in Sudan, stating that "there is no military solution" to the conflict.