Sudan and Ethiopia exchange diplomat expulsions in diplomatic crisis
Sudan and Ethiopia escalated a diplomatic crisis on November 4, 2026, exchanging mutual expulsions of consular staff and trading accusations over rebel support and drone strikes on critical infrastructure, sudantribune.com reported.
Khartoum Appeals to UN and African Union
Khartoum triggered the latest diplomatic breach last Friday by filing formal complaints against Addis Ababa with the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. The Sudanese government alleged that Ethiopia provided logistical backing to the Rapid Support Forces and hosted launchpads for drones targeting electricity and fuel facilities across multiple Sudanese states. Ethiopia responded by giving six Sudanese diplomats stationed at the Asosa consulate a 48-hour deadline to leave the country.
Consular Staff Ordered Out in Retaliation
Addis Ababa also withdrew three diplomats from its consulate in El Gedaref. In direct retaliation, the Sudanese government ordered remaining Ethiopian diplomatic personnel stationed in the eastern Sudanese city to depart.
Silence from Ministries as Ambassadors Face Recall
Neither foreign ministry has published official statements addressing the expulsions. Diplomatic sources in Khartoum indicated that the Foreign Ministry may recall Ambassador El-Zein Ibrahim for consultations, repeating an action taken last May. Sources in Addis Ababa similarly weighed expelling the Sudanese ambassador, declaring him persona non grata, and shuttering the embassy entirely. Ethiopia has lacked ambassadorial-level representation in Sudan since the outbreak of the war.
Fears of Regional Encirclement and Cross-Border Safe Havens
Ethiopian officials view the ongoing accusations from the Sudanese army alongside Egypt’s involvement in a newly formed regional axis with Eritrea as an intentional strategy to encircle Ethiopia. Addis Ababa counters that Sudan and its regional allies provide safe havens and logistical pathways for fighters belonging to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and Fano armed groups across the border.
Benishangul-Gumuz Allegations Prompt Western Mediation
Sudan maintains that Ethiopian authorities facilitate Rapid Support Forces movements and supply provisions through the Benishangul-Gumuz region. Private sources reported that diplomats from the United Kingdom and the United States are currently mediating to bridge the gap between Khartoum and Addis Ababa.