Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea and Sudan of Supporting Armed Groups
Addis Ababa alleges regional neighbors are coordinating drone attacks and arming domestic insurgents.
1Formal Accusations Against Neighbors
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s adviser, Getachew K. Reda, formally accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of destabilizing Ethiopia. The allegations involve arming and coordinating armed groups operating within Ethiopian borders. These claims were presented directly to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.
2Drone Attacks and Security
The Ethiopian government alleges that both Eritrea and Sudan have facilitated repeated drone attacks inside Ethiopian territory. These accusations were disclosed following a meeting with UN envoy Guang Cong. Addis Ababa maintains that such external military support is a primary driver of the ongoing security challenges currently facing the Ethiopian state.
3Diplomatic Tensions With Sudan
Relations between Ethiopia and Sudan have deteriorated significantly, marked by the reciprocal expulsion of diplomatic staff in November 2026. Ethiopia ordered six Sudanese diplomats to leave after closing a consulate in Assosa. Sudan retaliated by closing the Ethiopian consulate in Gedaref, further escalating the volatile diplomatic standoff between the two neighboring nations.
4Strained Relations With Eritrea
Ethiopia’s diplomatic crisis extends to Eritrea, following the October 2026 closure of the Ethiopian embassy in Asmara. Addis Ababa declared ten Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, citing direct acts of hostility and national security threats. These measures highlight the deepening isolation and mounting pressure Ethiopia faces from its immediate regional neighbors.
5Competing Regional Allegations
The conflict is characterized by mutual accusations of proxy warfare. Sudan has filed formal complaints with the UN and the African Union, claiming Ethiopia facilitates Rapid Support Forces operations against Sudanese infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ethiopia accuses Khartoum of backing Tigrayan rebels, while both governments consistently deny all allegations of supporting their respective adversaries.
6The Role of Diplomacy
Despite the aggressive rhetoric and reciprocal expulsions, Ethiopia’s leadership emphasized the necessity of dialogue over military confrontation. Getachew K. Reda stated that talking remains the best path forward to prevent further regional escalation. However, no specific agreements or concrete de-escalation measures were reported following the recent discussions with the UN envoy.
7Broader Regional Instability
The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing a complex web of intersecting security disputes. Beyond Eritrea and Sudan, Ethiopia has also accused Egypt of supporting Tigrayan rebels involved in northern offensives. These overlapping conflicts create a volatile environment where diplomatic channels are increasingly being replaced by retaliatory measures and public security accusations.
8Future Outlook and Risks
The current diplomatic trajectory suggests a period of prolonged instability in the Horn of Africa. With embassies closed and formal complaints lodged at the UN, the window for meaningful mediation appears narrow. Observers must monitor whether these regional tensions lead to further military escalation or if international pressure can force dialogue.
Original article: AllAfrica – Top — Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea and Sudan of Supporting Armed Groups