Sudan and Ethiopia have issued reciprocal orders for consular staff to leave amid accusations of support for armed groups, while local outlets report a separate closure order in Gedaref.
Al-Zawiya Net and Tayba TV reported that Sudan had ordered Ethiopia’s consulate there closed.
Agence France-Presse reported that one Sudanese official described Ethiopia’s earlier order for Sudanese consular staff to leave. A second Sudanese official said Sudan had ordered Ethiopian consular employees to leave within 48 hours. AFP also reported that a Sudanese official said the Ethiopian staff were declared persona non grata.
The Associated Press reported that Ethiopia ordered six Sudanese consular employees to leave within 48 hours and closed Sudan’s consulate in Assosa. Officials from both countries confirmed Ethiopia’s action, AP reported, and the Sudanese staff left Tuesday evening.
Sudan accuses Ethiopia of allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to launch drone attacks on civilian infrastructure from Ethiopian territory. Ethiopia has accused Sudan of supporting armed groups in the Tigray region. EconoTimes previously reported Sudan’s allegations about drone launches from Ethiopian territory. Ethiopia denied those allegations and said it respects Sudan’s sovereignty.
Sudan Tribune reported Thursday, Nov. 5, that neither country’s foreign ministry had publicly announced the reciprocal expulsions.
