Sudan files UN and African Union complaints against Ethiopia over alleged drone attacks
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally complained to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union, accusing Ethiopia of allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to use its territory for drone strikes. Sudan alleges these attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure and caused significant casualties. The complaint follows a report from Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, which claims 70 separate drone assaults occurred between February 15 and October 27, 2026. Ethiopia has not publicly responded to these specific allegations, though it has previously denied involvement and accused the Sudanese military of supporting rebels linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
Key points
- Sudan filed formal complaints with the UN Security Council and the African Union regarding alleged drone attacks.
- The Sudanese government claims the RSF uses Ethiopian territory to launch strikes against civilian sites.
- A report from the Transitional Sovereignty Council alleges 187 drones were used in 70 attacks between February 15 and October 27, 2026.
- Sudan reports 484 civilian casualties and 176 soldier deaths attributed to these drone strikes.
- Ethiopia has previously denied aiding the RSF and accused the Sudanese military of backing Tigrayan rebels.
What happened
Sudan has officially lodged complaints with the United Nations Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleges that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has utilized Ethiopian territory to conduct drone strikes against civilian sites and power stations in Sudan.
The Sudanese government claims these actions constitute a violation of international law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the incidents place Ethiopia before international law, citing a series of attacks that have disrupted essential services and resulted in hundreds of casualties.
Who said what
Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council released a report alleging that 70 assaults involving 187 one-way attack drones occurred between February 15 and October 27, 2026. The report identified specific launch sites, including Asosa Airport, the Kurmuk-Gizen border area, and the Bahir Dar airbase in Ethiopia's Amhara region.
Ethiopia has previously accused the Sudanese military of providing support to rebels linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Khartoum has denied these allegations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern regarding the impact of drone strikes in Sudan, with his spokesman stating that the secretary-general is appalled by the toll on civilians and condemns the escalating attacks by parties to the conflict.
Context
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since April 2023, involving the Sudanese military and the RSF. The conflict has led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises. The recent diplomatic escalation marks a new phase in the regional tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia, as both nations trade accusations of interference in their respective internal conflicts.
Why it matters
Sudan's formal complaint to the UN and African Union escalates regional diplomatic tensions, as the government alleges Ethiopia is facilitating drone strikes that have caused hundreds of civilian and military casualties.
What we know
- Sudan lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council and the African Union against Ethiopia.
- The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the RSF of using Ethiopian territory to launch attacks.
- A report from Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council alleges 70 drone assaults occurred between February 15 and October 27, 2026.
- The UN Secretary-General condemned the escalating drone attacks in Sudan.
What remains unclear
- Whether the drone attacks were launched from Ethiopian territory as alleged by the Sudanese government.
- The extent of Ethiopian involvement in supporting the RSF.
- The accuracy of the casualty figures reported by the Transitional Sovereignty Council.
- The validity of Ethiopia's accusations regarding Sudanese support for Tigrayan rebels.
