Ethiopia accused of exploiting Sudan coup to renew border conflict
In the wake of the Sudan coup on Oct. 25, some observers believe Ethiopia will take the opportunity to further its claims in a border dispute with Khartoum.
Following the military coup against the transitional authority in Sudan on Oct. 25, concerns have been raised about Ethiopia taking advantage of the resulting turmoil to renew the border dispute with Khartoum, which could cast a shadow over the already volatile region.
Ethiopia and Sudan have been locked in a decades-old conflict over 260 square kilometers (162 square miles) of the al-Fashqa area, a patch of fertile border land from which Khartoum expelled thousands of Ethiopian farmers in mid-December 2020. The move led to clashes between the two countries' forces, claiming dozens of lives on both sides.
Large numbers of Sudanese forces have since been stationed in the area to maintain control and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
Ethiopia accuses Sudan of exploiting its preoccupation in the Tigray war and of seizing Ethiopian lands, allegations Khartoum has denied. It declared full control over its “occupied lands” in al-Fashqa in late 2020.
