The Ethiopian Army Chief Accuses Egypt and Sudan of Supporting Opposing Groups

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The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, General Berhanu Jula, accused Egypt, Sudan, and other parties of providing support to groups opposing Addis Ababa, considering that the Tigray People's Liberation Front and Eritrea do not constitute a significant force on their own without external support.

Jula stated, in remarks to the Ethiopian army's media platform, that external forces are providing, in his estimation, support and preparation for a new alliance that includes armed and political groups, as part of what he described as attempts to influence the stability of Ethiopia. Ethiopian and regional media sources reported similar statements from him.

He added that the security challenges currently facing Ethiopia are linked, in his view, to a broader strategy followed by parties he described as 'historical enemies', considering that these parties do not have the capacity to launch a direct military attack on his country.

The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian army stated that the Tigray People's Liberation Front and Eritrea do not constitute, according to his assessment, a significant force on their own unless they receive support from Egypt, Sudan, and other parties outside the region.

Jola also downplayed the capabilities of the groups opposing the Ethiopian government, considering that their impact remains limited even if they unite, and decreases further when they operate separately.

According to available sources, Jola did not provide detailed public evidence to support his accusations against Egypt and Sudan.

His statements come amid a new military escalation in northern Ethiopia, after clashes intensified between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front and its allies, with fighting extending to areas in Afar and Amhara.

Seven Ethiopian opposition groups announced on September 20 the formation of a new alliance called "Ethiopian Peoples' Forces for Survival," which includes the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army, and the Fano National Movement in Amhara, along with other groups. The extent of actual military coordination among the alliance's components remains unclear.

Fighting has escalated in recent days, with the Tigray People's Liberation Front stating that it is acting "in self-defense," accusing the federal government of launching a wide-ranging attack against it, a narrative that contradicts Addis Ababa's accusations against the front of escalating tensions.

The Pretoria Agreement signed in 2022 ended a two-year war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, but recent developments have raised fears of an escalation of confrontation in the north of the country.

Jula's accusations come amid increasing regional tension, as Ethiopia and Sudan have exchanged accusations in recent weeks regarding support for armed groups. Addis Ababa has denied Sudanese allegations of supporting the Rapid Support Forces and, in turn, accused elements within the Sudanese armed forces of assisting Ethiopian opponents, including the Tigray Front.