April 13, 2025 – Renewed tension between Sudan and Ethiopia over the disputed al-Fashaga border region has prompted a joint call for restraint from the United States and European Union. On April 12, Sudanese military units reportedly reinforced their positions in Gedaref State, while Ethiopian militias were seen mobilizing near the Amhara border, raising fears of a new confrontation.
The U.S.–E.U. statement, released in Brussels and Washington on Sunday, called on both nations to engage immediately through the African Union and other diplomatic mechanisms. “We urge both sides to prioritize de-escalation and dialogue. This region cannot afford another cycle of armed confrontation,” the joint statement read.
The al-Fashaga triangle, a fertile strip of land claimed by both Sudan and Ethiopia, has historically flared into conflict during planting and harvest seasons. Tensions were particularly high during the 2020–2022 Tigray conflict, when Ethiopian federal troops were preoccupied elsewhere. Although a temporary security arrangement was brokered in 2023, that deal appears to be unraveling under local militia pressure.
Analysts say the renewed friction comes at a fragile time for regional diplomacy, with multiple overlapping crises in the Horn of Africa. “If left unchecked, this could spill into broader instability,” warned one East African policy expert. Both Sudan and Ethiopia face internal security challenges, making the border region a geopolitical flashpoint once again.
