Sudan accuses Ethiopia of supporting RSF attacks, while Ethiopia alleges Sudan backs Tigray rebels.
Published on 4 November 2026
Ethiopia has ordered six Sudanese diplomats to depart within 48 hours and shut down Sudan’s consulate in the border town of Asosa, according to officials from both countries.
The escalation follows rising tensions, as Sudan accuses the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using Ethiopian territory to launch drone strikes against civilian infrastructure, while Ethiopia alleges Sudan supports rebel groups in its northern Tigray region.
“The Sudanese government remains committed to defending its territory, yet it is making every effort to avoid an open conflict with Ethiopia,” said Amjad Farid, political and foreign affairs adviser to Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council.
A direct military clash with Addis Ababa would further strain Sudan’s already overstretched armed forces, which continue to fight the RSF in the country’s southeast.
Sudan’s military has repeatedly accused Ethiopia of supporting the RSF, which has been engaged in a civil war since April 2023; Addis Ababa denies any support for the RSF.
Termination of Diplomatic Ties
Ethiopia further accused Egypt and Eritrea of backing the Tigrayan rebels responsible for a September offensive against government forces; Egypt, Eritrea, and Ethiopia have all denied these accusations.
The recent expulsions of Sudanese diplomats follow Ethiopia’s decision to expel ten Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Eritrea on 1 October, prompting Eritrea to sever diplomatic relations.
Last month, Ethiopia expelled an Egyptian diplomat; Egypt’s longstanding dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continues to be a major strategic concern that has strained bilateral relations.