This archive report was first published on 30 October 2021.
As Sudan's military takes over power in a coup, Ethiopia is expressing concerns and calling for calm, even as it faces its own crisis in Tigray, which will mark a year this week.
On Monday, the military in Sudan seized power, prompting Ethiopia to be among the first responders in the region. A statement from Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry expressed support for Sudan's transition to democracy and respect for its Constitutional Document.
However, sources in Addis Ababa told The EastAfrican that Ethiopia has two main worries about Sudan's coup. Firstly, it could mean the collapse of a transition project mediated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which brought Dr Abdalla Hamdok to power as prime minister in 2019.
Secondly, there is no certainty on whether Sudan's military junta will turn up for subsequent meetings over the Nile, which could affect talks on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) project. Egypt and Sudan have been at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the dam's operation and safety features.
Meanwhile, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has warned Ethiopian National Defence forces to 'surrender' as the group pushes into neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions. The TPLF has claimed several victories on the ground, but the Ethiopian Airforce has bombarded their hideouts.
