Ethiopia has reportedly established a covert training facility for thousands of fighters aligned with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group currently engaged in a violent struggle for control over neighboring Sudan. According to an investigation published by Reuters, the existence of this camp marks a significant escalation in the regional dynamics of the conflict, signaling that the war is increasingly drawing in neighboring African powers.
The report details that the secret camp is located within Ethiopian territory, where thousands of recruits are allegedly receiving military instruction. This development comes as Sudan continues to suffer through one of the world’s deadliest ongoing conflicts, which erupted in April 2023. The war pits the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—commonly known as Hemedti—against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The fighting has devastated Sudan’s infrastructure, displaced millions of civilians, and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.
The involvement of Ethiopia in the Sudanese conflict could have profound geopolitical consequences for the Horn of Africa. Relations between Addis Ababa and Khartoum have historically been complex, frequently strained by disputes regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile and territorial disagreements over the fertile Al-Fashaga border region. While Ethiopia has previously participated in mediation efforts, the alleged hosting of training operations for the RSF suggests a shift that could complicate diplomatic relations with the Sudanese military government and other regional actors.
International observers and diplomats have repeatedly warned against external interference in Sudan, fearing that foreign material support for either faction will prolong the violence and destabilize the broader region. The Reuters report underscores the difficulty of containing the conflict, as various regional players weigh their strategic interests against the stability of Sudan.
As of the release of the report, officials from the Ethiopian government and representatives from the Rapid Support Forces have not issued detailed comments confirming the specific operations of the camp. However, these findings represent the latest sign that the internal Sudanese war is metastasizing into a proxy conflict, potentially widening the scope of instability across East Africa.
Source: Arise News
