ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has expelled six employees of Sudan’s consulate in the western city of Assosa and ordered the diplomatic mission to close, further worsening relations between the neighboring countries amid accusations linked to Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
Ethiopian and Sudanese officials confirmed the development on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. An Ethiopian intelligence official said the consular staff were given 48 hours to leave the country. A Sudanese official confirmed that they departed on Tuesday evening.
Ethiopian authorities have not publicly explained the decision. Sudan’s ambassador to Ethiopia declined to comment, while the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry had not issued an official announcement.
Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of Supporting Drone Attacks
The diplomatic dispute comes after Sudan accused Ethiopia of allowing drones used by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to launch attacks against infrastructure inside Sudan.
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said the drones were supplied by the United Arab Emirates and operated from Ethiopian territory. Khartoum has reportedly submitted complaints to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union over the allegations.
Ethiopia and the UAE have repeatedly denied supporting the RSF. Addis Ababa previously described similar accusations as baseless and accused Sudan of supporting armed groups in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.
Drone Strikes Disrupt Essential Services in Sudan
The allegations have intensified following drone attacks on electricity infrastructure in northern Sudan.
Strikes on electricity substations in Al-Dabbah and Abu Hamad reportedly disrupted power supplies, affecting communities and essential services. Sudanese authorities and the rights group Emergency Lawyers blamed the RSF for the attacks.
The disruption has raised concerns about access to electricity, water and medical services in areas already affected by the country’s prolonged conflict.
Ethiopia’s Diplomatic Relations Under Pressure
The expulsion of Sudanese consular staff follows other diplomatic measures taken by Ethiopia in recent weeks.
On October 1, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and ordered Eritrea’s embassy closed. Eritrea subsequently severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. Addis Ababa also expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month, amid longstanding disagreements with Cairo over Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
These developments have added to diplomatic tensions across the Horn of Africa, where disagreements over security, regional influence and the Sudanese conflict have complicated relations between neighboring governments.
Sudan’s War Raises Fears of Wider Regional Conflict
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict between its military and the RSF since April 2023. The fighting has caused widespread displacement, civilian casualties and a severe humanitarian emergency.
The latest diplomatic dispute has raised concerns that Sudan’s internal conflict could increasingly affect neighboring countries.
Although Sudanese officials have warned that the country reserves the right to defend its territory, adviser Amjad Farid said Khartoum was making efforts to avoid an open war with Ethiopia.
With both governments maintaining opposing accusations, the closure of Sudan’s consulate in Assosa represents another setback for diplomatic relations at a time of growing regional insecurity.
Swifteradio.com
