By Karim Hammam
Ethiopia has expelled six staff members of Sudan’s consulate in Assosa, a western city near the Sudanese border, and ordered the mission closed, according to Ethiopian and Sudanese officials.
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate
The expulsions come amid Sudanese accusations that drones attacking its infrastructure are being launched from Ethiopian territory. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that drones used in strikes on electricity substations in Al-Dabbah and Abu Hamad were supplied by the United Arab Emirates and launched from Ethiopia.
Series of Expulsions
The latest move follows Ethiopia’s decision on October 1 to expel 10 Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Eritrea, prompting Eritrea to sever diplomatic ties. Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month amid longstanding tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
Details of the Expulsion
An Ethiopian intelligence official said the six Sudanese consular staff were given 48 hours to leave the country. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. A Sudanese official corroborated the expulsions, adding that Ethiopian authorities had summoned Sudan’s ambassador on Sunday to announce the consulate’s closure. The staff departed Tuesday evening.
Denials and Counteraccusations
Both Ethiopia and the UAE have repeatedly denied arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has been fighting Sudan’s military since April 2023. Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry rejected similar Sudanese accusations in a May 5 statement, calling them baseless, and accused Sudan of supporting rebels in its northern Tigray region.
