By Ebi Kesiena
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan recently met to discuss the ongoing conflict and explore potential paths to peace.
Abiy’s visit to Port Sudan marked the first by a foreign leader since the conflict erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to Reuters.
Previously perceived as closer to the RSF, having hosted its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Addis Ababa last December, Abiy framed this visit as part of his efforts to stabilize Sudan after nearly 15 months of civil war. The conflict has displaced nearly 10 million people, created famine-like conditions in parts of the country, and threatened regional stability.
While the RSF controls most of Khartoum and central and western Sudan, the army holds the eastern and northern states, including Port Sudan, which has become its strategic base. Previous ceasefire talks in Jeddah, hosted by Saudi Arabia and the United States stalled last year, and efforts to bring the army back to negotiations have so far failed.
Images shared by both sides showed Burhan and Abiy laughing and walking hand in hand upon the Ethiopian leader’s arrival. On social media platform X, Abiy’s office described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to find “sustainable solutions for Sudan’s stability.” A source close to the situation noted that Abiy’s presence on the ground could significantly increase the chances of achieving a breakthrough.
The visit followed an RSF attack in Sennar state last month, bringing the conflict closer to Sudan’s border with Ethiopia. Signs have also emerged that the RSF is moving into Gedaref state, home to over 600,000 displaced Sudanese and tens of thousands of Ethiopian refugees.
Amid these tensions, Sudanese farmers reported that Ethiopian Fano militiamen had entered the disputed Fashaga territory. In a speech, Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia would not exploit the war to settle territorial disputes and would remain neutral.
Abiy, an ally of the United Arab Emirates, faces a delicate situation as the Sudanese army accuses the UAE of materially supporting the RSF, allegations the UAE denies but which UN experts consider credible.
