Ethiopia and Sudan are demanding that each country withdraws from contested territory before any negotiations can begin.  

 

In an exclusive interview with Radio Miraya, Ethiopia’s Deputy Head of Mission to South Sudan Ambassador Zelalem Birhan Alemu said Khartoum took advantage of the internal crisis in Ethiopia to take control of the land. 

 

“When our troops were moving to Tigray, they came in and seized our property because they think Ethiopia is preoccupied with internal affairs, but we can solve this issue amicably,” he said. 

 

Tensions have been high along their border since December when Sudanese armed forces reclaimed agricultural territories in the fertile al-Fashqa region, which had been under Ethiopia’s control since 1995.

 

Ambassador Alemu spoke with Sani Martin in this 40” discussion.