Expert
ACLED’s East Africa Senior Analyst Dr.des. Jalale Getachew Birru comments on the diplomatic crisis between Sudan and Ethiopia following accusations over alleged cross-border involvement.
6 May 2026Author
Jalale Getachew Birru
Senior Analyst, East Africa
Sudan’s recall of its ambassador to Ethiopia signals rapidly worsening ties, as both countries trade accusations over alleged cross-border involvement. Sudan claims drone strikes on Khartoum international airport originated from Ethiopia’s territory, while Addis Ababa denies this and accuses the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of using the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s (TPLF) forces and supporting the group — highlighting the growing regionalization of the conflict.
Jalale Getachew Birru, East Africa Senior Analyst at ACLED, said:
“This is not the first time Sudan has accused Ethiopia. Since December 2025, the Sudanese Armed Forces have accused Ethiopia of opening its borders for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N Hilu), to train their forces and receive supplies from the United Arab Emirates. The accusations continued in 2026, when the SAF accused Ethiopia of supporting the RSF and APLM-N Hilu in their fight in Blue Nile State.
“In 2026, Blue Nile State has shifted from a peripheral front to a central battleground in the Sudan war between the SAF and the RSF. Blue Nile’s strategic location is making it a focal point where Sudan’s internal conflict intersects with regional geopolitics. Because it borders Sennar State, which the SAF has held since early 2025, control of Blue Nile State is strategically significant as it can determine who controls central Sudan.
The Blue Nile’s broader geopolitical importance further raises the stakes. Given its proximity to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and ongoing disagreement between Ethiopia and Egypt over the dam, Blue Nile State could become a center of a wider proxy confrontation.”
For an interview with Dr.des. Jalale Getachew Birru, contact the ACLED press office, press@acleddata.com.