Ethiopia has expelled six staff members from Sudan's consulate in the western city of Assosa and ordered the mission to close, according to Ethiopian and Sudanese officials.
This diplomatic action occurs as Sudan alleges that drones attacking its infrastructure are being launched from Ethiopian territory. This latest expulsion follows Ethiopia's decision in October to remove 10 Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Eritrea, an action that led Eritrea to sever diplomatic ties. Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month, amid long-strained relations over Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
An Ethiopian intelligence official, speaking anonymously, stated that the six Sudanese consular staff were given 48 hours to leave the country. A Sudanese official corroborated the expulsions, adding that Ethiopian authorities summoned Sudan's ambassador on Sunday to announce the consulate's closure. The staff reportedly departed Tuesday evening.
Neither official provided a specific reason for the decision, and Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry had not publicly announced the measures. Sudan's Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday that drones used in attacks on the country's electricity infrastructure were supplied by the United Arab Emirates and launched from Ethiopia. Both Ethiopia and the UAE have denied arming the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, which has been engaged in conflict with Sudan's military since April 2023.
Drone strikes on electricity substations in the northern Sudanese towns of Al-Dabbah and Abu Hamad reportedly caused power outages on Sunday. Sudan's government and the rights group Emergency Lawyers have blamed the RSF for these attacks, which have disrupted electricity and water supplies and threatened essential medical services across the country.
In May, Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry rejected similar Sudanese accusations as baseless and accused Sudan of supporting rebels in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.