# Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea and Sudan of Supporting Armed Groups

Addis Ababa alleges regional neighbors are coordinating drone attacks and arming domestic insurgents.

- **Source:** [AllAfrica – Top](https://allafrica.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-11
- **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world)
- **Original article:** <https://allafrica.com/stories/202611110604.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/662f21a6-5abd-4478-9b7d-6e635bdbfdd1

## Formal 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.

## Drone 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.

## Diplomatic 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.

## Strained 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.

## Competing 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.

## The 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.

## Broader 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.

## Future 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.

## Sources covering this story

- https://allafrica.com/stories/202611110604.html — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
