Ethiopia blames regional rivals as risk of conflict spillover rises

What the report says

Ethiopia’s government has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed opposition groups as renewed fighting spreads in the country’s north, intensifying fears that the conflict could widen across the Horn of Africa. The comments were made by Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and reported by Al Jazeera on Sept. 29, 2026. According to the report, Ethiopia says Eritrea has acted as a channel connecting the other countries to armed groups inside Ethiopia.

The three governments named by Addis Ababa have denied the allegations. Egypt’s foreign ministry told Al Jazeera that Cairo rejects interference in other states’ internal affairs and supports sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sudan’s military also rejected the claims and accused Ethiopia in return of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, an allegation Addis Ababa denies. Eritrea likewise dismissed the accusations.

The dispute comes against a backdrop of already strained relations. Ethiopia and Egypt remain at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, while Sudan and Ethiopia have long traded accusations tied to the war in Sudan. Eritrea’s relationship with Ethiopia has also deteriorated since the 2020-2022 Tigray war, especially over access to the Red Sea. The renewed fighting has spread from Tigray into Amhara and Afar, raising concern because of the regions’ size and proximity to neighboring borders.

Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said Ethiopia may be using the allegations to rally domestic support and shift attention from internal unrest. They warned that if neighboring states respond in kind, the conflict could become increasingly regional.