A new investigation has deepened suspicions that Ethiopia is covertly supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s brutal civil war—despite publicly maintaining neutrality in the conflict that has created the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.
Middle East Eye reported that an Ethiopian military base near the Sudan border was used to train RSF fighters, adding concrete detail to months of analyst speculation and regional media reports.
The war, now in its third year, has displaced over 10 million people and pushed millions toward famine. The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been locked in a struggle that the United Nations has described as one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes currently unfolding globally.
Ethiopia, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has officially positioned itself as a neutral mediator, hosting peace talks and hosting Sudanese political actors. But the allegations challenge that narrative.
Ethiopia has long viewed Sudan as a critical element in its regional influence. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations have placed Sudan in a strategically important position relative to Egypt, and Addis Ababa has maintained ties with multiple factions in Khartoum.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemeti), has ties to various regional actors. If Ethiopian-backed training of RSF fighters is confirmed, it would represent a significant escalation in foreign involvement in the Sudanese conflict—and a betrayal of the confidence of the Sudanese government and African Union peace efforts.
Whatever Ethiopia’s strategic motivations, the human cost of the Sudanese war continues to mount. Aid organisations have struggled to reach civilians caught between RSF and SAF forces, with reported atrocities including attacks on hospitals, mass displacements, and widespread sexual violence.
The international community has been slow to respond with meaningful leverage against parties to the conflict, and regional actors have largely pursued their own interests rather than coordinated pressure for peace. For now, the allegations about Ethiopian involvement add yet another layer of complexity to a conflict that has resisted every effort at resolution.
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