Ethiopia and Sudan have agreed to work together to tackle peace and security-related challenges in the region.
The move comes after both Ethiopia and Sudan closed their borders with Eritrea
The move follows Sudan’s Defence Minister’s visit to Addis Ababa to discuss border security issues with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
Speaking to journalists, Sudan’s Minister of Defence Imad Aldin Adawin said that whatever challenges one state faces, is a concern for both sides and mutual efforts must be exerted to tackle any threats.
Prime Minister Desalegn expressed Ethiopia’s determination to defend any threats posed by the country’s national interests, stating that long-standing strategic partnership between Sudan and his country will further be strengthened.
Reports suggest since the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam begun, the relationship between Sudan and Ethiopia has a level that is an all-time high.
Escalating tensions between Sudan and Egypt
A few days ago Sudan has recalled its ambassador from Egypt for consultations and Egypt’s foreign ministry said it is evaluating the situation in order to take “appropriate action”.
Relations have been soured by disputes over the ownership of the Halayeb Triangle border area and over the use of the water from the River Nile that passes through their territories.
Sudan has accused Cairo of political meddling and banned imports of Egyptian agricultural products last year.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said in earlier statements that there are two scenarios to resolve the dispute with Egypt over Halayeb; the first is through dialogue as Egypt did with Saudi Arabia over the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir or by resorting to International arbitration as Egypt did with Israel over Taba.
Last week, the Egyptian authorities passed a number of resolutions to strengthen its presence on the islands including filing a complaint with the UN Security Council against Sudan
In response, Sudan has, on its part, expressed concern over the border agreement between Cairo and Riyadh concerning the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanfir, which they claim entrenches Egypt’s occupation of Halayeb.
