Sudan and Ethiopia’s deteriorating relation is taking a new dimension.
According to the Ethiopia’s foreign misnistry, Sudan has requested the United Nations’ Security council to replace Ethiopian peace keepers in Abyei with other forces from any other country.
Abyei, the South Sudanese land that is likely to return north and south Sudan to conflict is seen by the Sudan as a gateway to which Ethiopia’s government might take advantage of.
“Al-Mahdi disclosed the request in an interview with the ban-Arab Alhadath TV following the failure of the three-day meeting in Kinshasa about the giant hydropower dam that Ethiopia now plans to file and operate next July without an agreement with the downstream countries.” Said Sudanese media Sudan Tribune.
“Sudan has requested the United Nations to replace the Ethiopian troops present in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNIFSA) with peacekeepers from other countries,” Said Marriam, Al-mahdi.
Sudan had its take on the matter as well.
“It is not conceivable to accept Ethiopian forces deployed in the strategic depth of Sudan while the Ethiopian troops are massing on the eastern borders of Sudan,” the Sudanese top diplomat stressed.
According to the Sudanese medua house, the minister said that Sudan is now reviewing its relations and cooperation agreements with Ethiopia but stressed that this will not affect the Ethiopian residing in Sudan including refugees.
On 12 November 2020, the Security Council renewed the UNISFA mandate for six months until 15 May 2021. Also, the Secretary-General is expected to report before 15 April about the progress in implementing UNISFA’s mandate.
The Security Council is expected to discuss the Sudanese request during a meeting that will take place on 26 April.
Sudan which has shown good relations with Ethiopia in the recent past is now aligning itself to the influence of the middle east countries.
Critics believe that Sudan is being driven by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.