Ethiopia Expels Sudanese Consular Staff Amid Regional Tensions

Ethiopia has expelled six Sudanese consular staff and ordered the closure of Sudan’s consulate in Assosa, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The move comes after reported drone strikes on Sudan’s electricity infrastructure, which have left the country grappling with substantial displacement and humanitarian challenges.

The six staff members were given just 48 hours to depart Ethiopia, highlighting the swift and decisive nature of the action taken by Ethiopian authorities. This decision is reportedly part of a broader pattern of diplomatic maneuvers, following similar expulsions of Eritrean and Egyptian diplomats earlier this year. According to several outlets, the attacks on Sudan’s electricity infrastructure occurred on a Sunday, impacting towns such as Al-Dabbah and Abu Hamad.

Sudan’s army-aligned government has lodged formal complaints against Ethiopia at both the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. These complaints include allegations that Ethiopia permitted the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) to use its territory for launching drone attacks on Sudan. The ongoing Sudanese war, which began in April 2023, has already displaced over 14 million people, underscoring the severe impact of these conflicts on the region’s population.

In addition to the expulsion of Sudanese staff, Ethiopia has also taken action against Eritrean diplomats, closing its embassy in Asmara and declaring ten Eritrean diplomats persona non grata. This move came alongside Ethiopia’s accusation that Eritrea and Egypt supported Tigrayan rebels, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa.

What we know

• Six Sudanese consular staff were expelled from Ethiopia.
• Sudan’s consulate in Assosa, Ethiopia, was ordered to close.
• The six staff members were given 48 hours to leave Ethiopia.
• Drones reportedly attacked Sudan’s electricity infrastructure in Al-Dabbah and Abu Hamad.
• Sudan lodged formal complaints against Ethiopia with the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council.
• Sudan’s complaints included accusations that Ethiopia allowed the RSF to use Ethiopian territory for drone attacks on Sudan.
• The Sudanese war, which began in April 2023, has displaced over 14 million people.
• This expulsion follows previous actions by Ethiopia against Eritrean and Egyptian diplomats.
• Attacks on Sudan’s electricity infrastructure occurred on a Sunday.
• Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, ordering them to leave within 48 hours.
• Ethiopia accused Eritrea and Egypt of supporting Tigrayan rebels.