Ethiopia has raised concerns over Sudan’s involvement in renewed tensions near its northern border, accusing Khartoum of playing an ambiguous role in the ongoing Tigray conflict.

The Ethiopian government, through its foreign ministry, said recent military activities and movements in border areas between Sudan’s Gedaref region and Ethiopia’s Amhara and Tigray regions have raised suspicion. Addis Ababa alleges that some armed elements operating from Sudanese territory may be aiding Tigrayan forces, potentially undermining Ethiopia’s efforts to stabilize the war-torn area.

Sudan has denied the allegations, maintaining that it is committed to peace and regional stability. Officials in Khartoum have instead called for restraint and urged Ethiopia to focus on dialogue to resolve its internal crisis. The Sudanese government has also reiterated its readiness to mediate between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a proposal that Addis Ababa has been reluctant to accept.

The tensions come against a backdrop of historical disputes between the two neighbors, particularly over the fertile al-Fashaga border region. While both nations have been engaged in intermittent talks, mistrust remains high, especially since the outbreak of Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict in late 2020.

Analysts warn that any further deterioration in relations could complicate humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in northern Ethiopia and worsen regional instability. International actors, including the African Union, have called for restraint and a renewed commitment to peaceful negotiation.