Sudan rejects Ethiopian accusation of backing armed groups

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Sunday rejected accusations by Ethiopia’s army chief that Sudan was supporting an alliance of armed groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

In a statement, the Sudanese army described the allegations by Chief of Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula as baseless.

It also accused Ethiopia of continuing to support Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including through training, supplies and the use of Ethiopian territory for military activities involving strategic and suicide drones.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces categorically reject these allegations and consider them baseless,” the statement said.

Army spokesperson Asim Awad Abdelwahab said Sudan respects international law and the principles of good neighbourly relations and doesn’t interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Asim added that Sudan would not tolerate any infringement of its sovereignty or national security.

The Sudanese army called on Ethiopia to exercise “accuracy and responsibility” and use dialogue and official channels to protect the security and stability of the two countries and the wider region.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces will remain vigilant in protecting the nation’s borders and sovereignty and capable of confronting any threat to its security and stability,” it said.

On Saturday, Birhanu accused Egypt and Sudan of supporting a new alliance of armed groups seeking to remove Abiy, saying the groups could not succeed unless they were “pushed, supported and supplied” from abroad.

He also accused Eritrea of acting as a link between foreign backers and armed groups inside Ethiopia.

The alliance, announced last week, includes seven groups, among them the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano National Movement. Its members say they want to remove Abiy’s government and establish a transitional administration.

The accusations come as fighting has resumed in northern Ethiopia, with Tigrayan forces clashing with federal troops.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan have also risen in recent months. Sudan previously accused Ethiopia of involvement in drone attacks on Khartoum airport and of supporting Tigrayan fighters. Ethiopia rejected the accusations as baseless.

Ethiopia and Egypt are also at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Egypt and Sudan want a legally binding agreement on its operation, while Ethiopia says the dam is essential for generating electricity and will not significantly harm downstream countries.

Eritrea, which fought alongside Ethiopian federal forces during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, has also been accused by Ethiopia of supporting the new armed alliance. Eritrea has denied the allegation.

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