Ethiopian diplomat threatens punitive measures against Sudan for breaching border

JUBA – Ethiopian ambassador to Sudan, Yibeltal Aemro,  has threatened punitive measures against neighboring Sudan after he said Khartoum had crossed borders which it said was mistake, reiterating Ethiopia’s obligation to protect its territorial integrity.

“Sudan has made a historic mistake by crossing our borders, and we’re obligated to defend our rights,” Aemro said. “Sudanese forces killed Ethiopian and destroyed Ethiopian civilian houses accounting for 1 billion birr. While Ethiopia is committed to find peaceful solution to the misunderstanding between the two countries, Ethiopia reserves the right to defend itself.”

In recent months, tensions have escalated between the two countries. While Sudan says it recovered areas previously occupied by Ethiopian farmers, Ethiopia accused Sudan of breaching its sovereignty urging Sudan to withdraw.

South Sudan, a neighbor to both Sudan and Ethiopian, had tried to mediate between the two countries, but observers have cast doubt at the significance of the talk and do not believe there will be a breakthrough in negotiations.