Sudan Denies Ethiopian Claims of Support for Tigray Fighters

Sudan’s military has rejected allegations by Ethiopia’s army chief that Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea are backing armed groups fighting the federal government in northern Tigray.

Field Marshal Birhanu Jula made the accusation on Sunday in remarks carried on the Ethiopian military’s YouTube channel. He described the forces confronting Ethiopia as organised and allied in the interests of external actors.

Jula also said the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrea could not achieve their objectives without backing, support and supplies from Sudan, Egypt and other outside powers.

In a statement issued late Sunday, the Sudanese armed forces said they “categorically reject these allegations and consider them baseless.” The military added that Sudan remained “committed to international law and the principles of good-neighbourly relations.”

Competing accusations

The latest exchange adds to a series of accusations between Sudan and Ethiopia over involvement in each other’s conflicts.

Sudan’s military has accused Ethiopia of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s war. Khartoum has also alleged that drone attacks were launched from Ethiopian territory in coordination with the United Arab Emirates. Ethiopia and the UAE have denied that allegation.

In May, Ethiopia accused the Sudanese army of supporting mercenaries linked to the TPLF. Khartoum denied the charge.

Egypt and Eritrea had not publicly responded to Jula’s allegations at the time of the report. The available accounts do not provide further details about the forces Ethiopia says are being supported by the three countries.

Fears of wider conflict

Tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and authorities in Tigray had been increasing for months before renewed fighting in the region. The developments have raised concerns about a return to the devastating conflict fought between the federal government and Tigray authorities from 2020 to 2022.

The African Union has estimated that more than 600,000 people died during that earlier war. Sudan’s separate conflict, involving the RSF, began in April 2023.

The allegations and denials have not been independently verified. They nevertheless underline the strained relations among countries in the region as fighting and rival security claims continue to shape ties between Sudan and Ethiopia.