Sudan closes common border with Ethiopia

NAIROBI, Kenya - Officials in the state of Al-Qadarif in Eastern parts of Sudan have closed the common border with Ethiopia, as tensions continue to escalate in the Horn of Africa, despite resilience by the African Union to foster peace and stability.

The decision was arrived at after the Fano militia in Western Ethiopia seized Matema town near the common border with Sudan. The Fano militia is designated as a terror group by the Federal Government of Ethiopia.

According to Sudan Tribune, which cites confidential military sources, Ethiopian police and the army were allowed to cross over to Sudan after being disarmed. In return, members of the Fano militia in the area allowed Sudanese nationals stranded at the border to cross into Ethiopia.

The publication further reports that thousands of Sudanese nationals have already crossed into Ethiopia through Gallabat since the Sudan conflict broke out in April last year between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Reports further indicate that the Matema-Gallabat border is frequently closed down due to tensions within the vicinity.

In July 2022, the border was reopened after a month-long closure following tensions between the two countries shortly after Sudan accused Ethiopia’s forces of capturing and executing seven Sudanese soldiers and a civilian, Sudan Tribune adds.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Ethiopian Government regretted the deaths. Still, it said it was caused “as a result of a skirmish between the Sudanese army and a local militia.”

In July, the border was opened following a meeting between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Sudanese military General Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on IGAD heads of state and government sidelines.

GAROWE ONLINE