The Quiet Escalation: Ethiopia's Proxy Play in Sudan's Internal Conflict
THE CLAIM: Ethiopia's Covert Support for RSF The New Arab, citing Reuters, reports that Ethiopia has established a secret training camp near the Sudanese border to train RSF fighters, corroborating previous claims by the Sudanese Army (SAF) and Ethiopian opposition figures. This suggests a direct, clandestine intervention in Sudan's ongoing civil war, shifting Ethiopia from a nominal mediator to
an active participant. THE EVIDENCE: Regional Power Shifts and Weaponized Displacement While the Ethiopian government denies these allegations, the historical record of regional interventions provides context. Ethiopia’s engagement with splinter groups, particularly in Somalia, where it has also deployed troops and maintained influence, is well-documented (African Union Mission in Somalia,
2007-present). The current situation reflects a transactional approach, leveraging instability for strategic gains. For instance, the RSF, previously designated a terrorist entity by the US Treasury Department in 2023, has become a viable proxy for external actors seeking to influence Sudan’s future, often with little regard for the humanitarian cost. THE CONTRADICTIONS: Humanitarian Rhetoric vs.
Strategic Self-Interest Ethiopia, currently grappling with internal conflicts and recovering from its Tigray war (2020-2022), has advocated for 'African solutions to African problems.' This principle, however, is consistently contradicted by actions that exacerbate regional instability, such as the alleged support for the RSF. The 'secret camp' effectively prolongs a conflict that has already