Sudan, Ethiopia order tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Move comes after Sudan lodged official complaints against Ethiopia, accusing Addis Ababa of supporting the RSF paramilitary group. Ethiopia has ordered six Sudanese diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours and closed Sudan’s consulate in the border town of Asosa, according to media reports. The reports on Tuesday came as tensions between the countries continue to rise, with Sudan accusing Ethiopia of ⁠supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while Ethiopia accuses Sudan of backing rebels in its northern Tigray region The allegations and counter-allegations, which both ⁠sides deny, have raised fears that the two wars could bleed into each other, spawning a broader conflict in the Horn of Africa.

The news agency, citing a senior Ethiopian official, reported on Tuesday that Ethiopia ordered six staff members of the Sudanese consulate in the border town ⁠of Assosa to leave within 48 hours. It said the official asked not to be named to discuss a sensitive diplomatic matter. The Associated Press news agency also reported the action, citing an Ethiopian intelligence official.

The Details

It also said a Sudanese official had corroborated the expulsions, adding that Ethiopian authorities had summoned Sudan’s ambassador on Sunday to announce the consulate’s closure. He said the staff departed on Tuesday evening and spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to escalate the diplomatic dispute. The agency said neither official had provided a specific reason for the expulsions.

The expulsions came after ⁠Sudan lodged a complaint against Ethiopia with both the United Nations Security Council and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Sunday, accusing Ethiopia of allowing the RSF to use its territory to launch deadly drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Sudan. “The Sudanese government remains committed to its right to defend its territory. Nevertheless, it is making ⁠every possible effort to avoid an open war with Ethiopia,” said Amjad Farid, political and foreign affairs adviser for Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.