Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohy al‑Din Salim accused Ethiopia of participating in an attack on Sudan following the bombing of Khartoum International Airport [1].
The accusation marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, as Sudan suggests it is prepared to engage in direct military confrontation with a neighboring state.
Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum, Salim said Ethiopia participated in the aggression against Sudan [1]. He said that his country is ready to respond and enter into a direct confrontation if necessary [1]. The statements followed the bombing of the international airport, which occurred the day before the minister's announcement [1].
In response, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations. A spokesperson for the ministry said Ethiopia rejects the false accusations directed at it [1]. The spokesperson said that the people of Ethiopia and Sudan are joined by a historic and permanent bond of friendship [1].
The dispute centers on the nature of the airport attack and whether external actors provided tactical support or direct participation. While Sudan has signaled a willingness to escalate, Ethiopia maintains that the claims are baseless and contradictory to the diplomatic ties between the two nations [1].
Diplomatic channels remain strained as both governments issue conflicting accounts of the events leading up to the bombing. The Sudanese government has not provided public evidence to support the claim of Ethiopian involvement, while Ethiopia continues to emphasize its desire to preserve regional stability [1].
“Sudan is ready to respond and enter into a direct confrontation if necessary.”
This diplomatic clash heightens the risk of interstate conflict in the Horn of Africa. By threatening a 'direct confrontation,' Sudan is signaling that it views the airport bombing not as an isolated incident, but as a breach of sovereignty involving a foreign power. Ethiopia's insistence on 'historic friendship' suggests a desire to avoid a wider regional war, but the public nature of the accusations makes a quiet diplomatic resolution more difficult.
