Sudan rejects mediation in border conflict with Ethiopia 'at this stage'

CAIRO – 23 February 2021: The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Tuesday that Sudan does not accept any mediation in the ongoing conflict with Ethiopia over borders at this stage, as reported by Al Arabiyah.  

The ministry stipulated that Ethiopia eyes occupying Sudanese lands saying that deploying the army in Al Fashaqa district is final and shall not be revisited. Further, the ministry added that if Ethiopia thinks it has rights in Al Fashaqa, it can resort to law.

Sudan had summoned its ambassador to Addis Ababa to consult over the border issue as the district is experiencing escalating tensions that resulted in the death of dozens on both sides.

Some Ethiopian groups used to cultivate lands in Sudan's Al Fashqa region for decades, which was tolerated by overthrown leader Omar al-Bashir but is no longer accepted by the transitional government. The area spanning over 250 square kilometers has been experiencing deadly clashes, and armed attacks by Ethiopian militias.

It is noted that 50,000 out of 950,000 displaced Ethiopians fled to Sudan because of the fighting initiated by the Ethiopian federal government against the Tigray region.