REGIONAL SPILLOVER: Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of Sponsoring “Strategic” RSF Assault
KURMUK / ADDIS ABABA — In a major escalation of diplomatic and military tensions in the Horn of Africa, the Sudanese government on Monday, March 23, 2026, directly accused Ethiopia of facilitating a massive rebel offensive on the strategic border town of Kurmuk.
A senior official told the Sudan Tribune that Ethiopia “sponsored” the assault by allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu faction), to use Ethiopian territory as a launchpad for the attack.
The Assault on Kurmuk (March 23–25, 2026)
The fighting represents a critical new front in Sudan’s three-year civil war, shifting the focus to the southeastern Blue Nile State.
- The Ethiopian Connection: Sudanese sources claim that RSF combat vehicles moved from Assosa, Ethiopia, toward the border before launching the strike. They allege Ethiopia provided logistical support, electronic jamming equipment, and safe passage for the rebel alliance.
- RSF Claims Victory: On Tuesday, March 24, the RSF released footage claiming they had “fully liberated” Kurmuk. They reported killing over 400 army personnel and capturing dozens of senior officers, though the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have officially denied the town has fallen.
- Mass Displacement: The El Gezira Observatory for Human Rights reported that 73,406 people—mostly women and children—have fled Kurmuk toward the state capital, Ed Damazin, since the fighting intensified over the weekend.
The “Training Camp” Controversy
The accusations follow a series of recent reports suggesting deeper Ethiopian involvement in the conflict:
- Drone Warfare: On March 2, Khartoum accused Addis Ababa of allowing drone strikes to be launched from Ethiopian soil against Sudanese positions.
- Secret Training Facilities: A Reuters investigation in February 2026 detailed a secret camp in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region used to train thousands of RSF-linked fighters, allegedly financed by the United Arab Emirates.
| Stakeholder | Official Stance |
| Sudanese Government | Labels the assault “foreign aggression”; warns of a “right to respond by all means.” |
| Ethiopia | Has not publicly responded to the latest Kurmuk claims; previously maintained “judicious neutrality.” |
| SPLM-N (Joseph Toka) | Claims to have “crushed” army units and seized 47 combat vehicles near the border. |
| United Arab Emirates | Continues to deny allegations of covert arms routes through Ethiopia and Chad. |
Strategic Stakes: The “Eastern Gate”
The fall of Kurmuk would be a significant tactical loss for the Sudanese army. Known as the “eastern gate of Sudan,” the town sits on a vital road link to Ethiopia and provides a gateway to Sennar State and the Al-Roseires Dam.
If the RSF-SPLM-N alliance consolidates control, it would create a continuous rebel corridor stretching from the Darfur region in the west, through Kordofan, to the Ethiopian border in the east, effectively bisecting the country’s southern trade routes.
What’s Next?
As President Donald Trump focuses on the Thursday summit in Islamabad to end the “Second Iran War,” the crisis in Sudan is increasingly drawing in regional powers. With Egypt and Saudi Arabia reportedly concerned about the UAE’s influence in Ethiopia, the battle for Blue Nile could trigger a wider proxy conflict if the SAF carries out its threat to “respond to hostile acts” on Ethiopian soil.