Ethiopian crisis: Sudan summons Ethiopian Ambassador over 'unfounded' allegation of violation of its air space
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the Ambassador of Ethiopia, Yeptal Amiru, over his statement that a plane allegedly loaded with weapons that was shot down by the Ethiopian Air Force entered the country from Sudan.
The state-owned Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Tuesday that the Director-General of African Affairs, Ambassador Fadl Abdullah Fadl, conveyed to the Ethiopian ambassador the ministry’s denunciation of the statement he made to the media.
The Ministry said the Ethiopian Ambassador indicated that the alleged plane with the weapons meant for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) "violated the Ethiopian airspace through Sudan".
"Ambassador Fadl Abdullah Fadl explained to the Ethiopian diplomat that making these unfounded allegations is contrary to the usual diplomatic traditions in communicating with the official authorities in the country of representation, especially since the leadership in the two countries seeks to strengthen relations between them," SUNA quoted the Foregn Ministry as saying.
Ethiopia claimed last Wednesday that its Air Force shot down a plane that was carrying weapons to the TPLF as the fighting between the government and the regional government flared up again.
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) quoted the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence as saying that "a plane that was carrying weapons for the terrorist group TPLF and violated Ethiopian air space and entered the country through Sudan was shot down by the Ethiopian Air Force."
"The Federal Government of #Ethiopia has been taking steps to bring the war in the northern part of Ethiopia to a peaceful conclusion. However, the terrorist organisation, as well as its foreign backers, have expressed a strong desire to continue fighting," EBC quoted the Federal Government Communcation Service as saying in a tweet.
However, a senior TPLF leader, Getachew Reda, has denied the claim.
The conflict between the Addis Ababa government and TPLF started on 4 November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offensive after TPLF forces attacked a federal army base.
Fighting has sparked massive displacement, widespread destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, loss of employment and a huge humanitarian crisis.
Ethiopia declared a unilateral ceasefire in June 2021 but tension has remained between the two sides.
-0- PANA MA 31Aug2022
