Sudan regional tensions are rising as renewed fighting in Ethiopia and cross-border disputes involving Chad raise concerns about wider instability.
Competing accusations of military support, foreign involvement and reported cross-border operations have increased diplomatic pressure across the region.
The developments come as Sudan’s ongoing conflict continues to affect relations with neighbouring countries.
Sudan regional tensions grow over Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s military chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
He said the armed opposition would struggle to sustain its campaign without outside assistance. However, the accusations against Sudan have not been independently established.
The allegations followed the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival.
The alliance reportedly brings together seven armed movements, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the Amhara Fano National Movement and the Oromo Liberation Army.
The alliance has declared its intention to remove Abiy’s government and establish a transitional administration.
Sudan’s regular armed forces rejected Ethiopia’s accusations as baseless.
Army spokesperson Asim Awad Abdelwahab instead accused Ethiopia of allowing training, logistical support and drone operations benefiting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from its territory.
Ethiopia has denied supporting the RSF. Neither side’s competing allegations have been independently established.
Renewed fighting raises concerns in northern Ethiopia
The diplomatic dispute comes as renewed fighting threatens the peace agreement that ended Ethiopia’s devastating northern war in November 2022.
Reports indicate that clashes intensified in late September, with Tigrayan forces launching operations against federal troops.
The fighting reportedly spread into areas bordering the Tigray region, including parts of Afar and Amhara.
The new opposition alliance includes movements with different political and territorial objectives, some of which previously fought against one another.
Despite these differences, the groups have expressed opposition to Ethiopia’s federal government.
On September 28, pro-government forces claimed to have recaptured the strategic town of Alamata, south of Tigray’s capital, Mekelle.
The pro-government Tigrai Peace Force released footage that it said showed its fighters entering the town.
Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the footage.
Questions over cross-border military involvement
The renewed fighting has increased attention on allegations of foreign involvement in regional conflicts.
Previous reports have alleged that Ethiopian fighters operated alongside Sudan’s regular armed forces during Sudan’s war.
Footage circulated following the army’s recapture of Wad Madani in January 2025 appeared to show a Sudanese officer praising Ethiopian fighters for their role in the operation.
The footage was subsequently cited by the RSF in accusing the army of using foreign combatants.
However, the extent and nature of any involvement by Ethiopian fighters have not been independently established.
The allegations have gained further significance as relations between Khartoum and Addis Ababa face renewed pressure.
Chad dispute adds to Sudan regional tensions
Concerns over Sudan regional tensions have also extended to the country’s western border with Chad.
Chad’s military accused Sudanese forces and allied armed groups of carrying out strikes against vehicles in the Ennedi-Est region in August.
According to the Chadian military, the strikes occurred more than 100 kilometres inside Chad.
The accusations prompted N’Djamena to place its forces on high alert and warn that it reserved the right to protect its sovereignty.
Sudanese authorities disputed accusations concerning the incident and called for an independent investigation before responsibility is established.
The United States and African Union also expressed concern over reports of cross-border strikes.
US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs Massad Boulos warned against the expansion of Sudan’s conflict beyond its borders.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for respect for national sovereignty and urged the parties to avoid further escalation.
Regional leaders face growing diplomatic challenges
Sudan’s location between the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and the Red Sea makes regional instability particularly concerning.
The country borders several states facing their own political, security and humanitarian challenges.
Renewed fighting in Ethiopia adds another source of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, competing accusations involving Sudan, Ethiopia and Chad risk increasing mistrust between neighbouring governments.
Regional and international organisations have called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
The concern is that Sudan’s war and Ethiopia’s renewed conflict could become increasingly connected through armed groups, competing alliances and allegations of foreign support.
Preventing further cross-border escalation remains an important challenge for regional diplomacy.