Chinese Company Acquires Stake in Ethiopian Gold Mine Near Sudan War Zone

The Middle East Eye published on 19 August 2026 an article titled "UAE-backed Chinese Company Acquires Stake in Ethiopian Gold Mine Near Sudan War Zone" by Zecharias Zelalem and Oscar Rickett.

Last week, Canadian mining company Allied Gold sold a 9.2 percent stake to China's Zijin Gold International.  This gives Zijin partial ownership of mines in Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and near Kurmuk in Ethiopia. The Kurmuk mine is in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region, which hosts at least one base used by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).  The UAE supports the RSF and is the main buyer of gold coming from both Sudan and Ethiopia.  

The UAE's sovereign wealth fund has a major share in the parent company of Zijin Gold International and in Canada's Allied Gold.  The Ethiopian gold mine puts Chinese, Canadian, and UAE interests close to the civil war between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces in Sudan's Blue Nile State and raises further questions about the UAE's role in the conflict.   

Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Stay Out of Sudan Conflict?

 Aljazeera published on 6 May 2023 an article titled "Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Be Dragged into Sudan's Complex War?" by Mat Nashed.

For the time being, Ethiopia and Eritrea are maintaining neutral positions on the conflict in neighboring Sudan.  The article looks, however, at the prospect  for one or both countries to take sides in Sudan.  

Kenya-South Sudan Border Dispute

 The Conversation published on 16 February 2023 a commentary titled "Ilemi Triangle: How Resources Fuel East Africa's Border Conflicts" by Al Chukwuma Okoli, Nigeria's Federal University of Lafia.  

The Ilemi Triangle, land claimed by Kenya and South Sudan, is rich in oil and water.  The quest for resources drives the conflict.  It is one of many boundary disputes in East Africa that require a regional border management mechanism to find enduring solutions to disputes often driven by disagreements over natural resources.

Is Sudan Destined to Be a Failed State?

 World Politics Review published on 23 September 2022 an analysis titled "Sudan's Stalled 'Transition' Could Create a Failed State" by Yasir Zaidan, National University of Sudan.  

Sudan is facing institutional paralysis, an economic crisis, and deepening sociopolitical tensions that risk the result of a failed state.  

Rising Tension between Ethiopia and Sudan

 The Associated Press published on 29 June 2022 an article titled "African Union Urges Calm in Ethiopia-Sudan Border Dispute."

The African Union is deeply concerned by "the escalating military tension" between Ethiopia and Sudan.  Following the alleged execution of 7 Sudanese soldiers and one civilian by Ethiopia, Sudan launched an artillery barrage against a village inside Ethiopia.  

Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of Executing Its Soldiers

 Reuters published on 27 June 2022 an article titled "Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of Executing Sudanese Soldiers, a Civilian."

Sudan accused the Ethiopian army of executing seven Sudanese soldiers and a civilian taken from the disputed al-Fashqa border area.  Ethiopia denied the charge.

Ethiopia's Ties with Sudan on Mend: Tactical or Long-term Move?

 The Sudan Tribune posted on 10 February 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia Says Ready for Talks with Sudan over Disputed Issues."

The Deputy Chairman of Sudan's military-dominated Sovereign Council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, met in Addis Ababa in late January with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  Ethiopia's ambassador in Khartoum subsequently stated the two countries are ready to discuss contentious issues such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the border clashes in the Fashaga area. 

Comment: Both Sudan and Ethiopia face internal political challenges and would like to improve their negotiating positions vis-a-vis Egypt.  Improved Sudan-Ethiopia relations would be one way to accomplish that goal.   

Roundup of Tigrayans in Ethiopia

 The Associated Press published on 18 August 2021 an article titled "New Wave of Ethiopian Detentions of Tigrayans Includes Kids" by Carra Anna. 

The article reports that the roundup of Tigrayans by the government of Ethiopia now includes some children.  

New Atrocities in Tigray Region

 The New York Times published on 3 August 2021 an article titled "As Ethiopia's War Rages, Bodies Float Downriver into Sudan" by Simon Marks and Declan Walsh.

The article reports that bodies, apparently Tigrayans, are floating down the Tekeze River and reaching the border between Sudan and Ethiopia.  Most of the bodies bear signs of violence.  

What's Driving Sudan and Ethiopia Apart?

 The International Crisis Group posted on 18 May 2021 a 30 minute podcast titled "What's Driving Sudan and Ethiopia Apart?" with Annette Weber, senior fellow with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Weber talks about Sudan's and Ethiopia's diverging views on their border dispute, the ongoing disagreements over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the worrying rise of militias in both countries.  She also discusses the future of Ethiopia's recent alliance with Eritrea and the unclear fate of regional multilateralism.  Finally, she looks at the EU's new strategy towards the region and how US reengagement might affect the European approach.  

State Department Summary of U.S. Special Envoy Trip to Horn of Africa

 The Department of State released on 14 May 2021 a statement titled "Travel by U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman."

Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman has just completed his first visit to the region, traveling to Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Ethiopia from May 4 to 13, 2021.  

The State Department announced that the U.S. supports a sovereign and united Ethiopia, adding that the atrocities being perpetrated in Tigray and the scale of the humanitarian emergency are unacceptable.  Eritrean troops must also withdraw from Ethiopia immediately.

The U.S. supports Sudan's ongoing transition to democracy and is working with international partners led by the African Union to facilitate a resolution to the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and conflict on Sudan's borders.  

What Does Eritrean President's Visit to Sudan Mean for Ethiopia?

 The Associated Press published an article on 4 May 2021 titled "Eritrea's President Visits Sudan Amid Tensions over Ethiopia" by Samy Magdy.  

Eritrea has had to assure Sudan that it has no role in the border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan.  A Sudan government statement said leaders of the two countries will discuss the border dispute and Ethiopian-Sudanese differences over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Comment:  As relationships become more complicated in the Horn of Africa because of differences over the GERD, the Sudan-Ethiopia border conflict, and the continuing presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia, the visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to Khartoum takes on added importance and almost certainly raises questions in the minds of Ethiopia's leaders as to the intentions of Sudan and Eritrea.  

Cold War Brewing on the Blue Nile?

 Bloomberg published on 8 April 2021 an article titled "A Cold War Is Brewing on the Blue Nile" by Amr Adly.  

The author argues that in the absence of an agreement on water release from the reservoir behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Blue Nile could become the theater of a riparian Cold War, with the possibility of confrontation involving Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan.  

Ethiopian Government Position on Recent Developments

 In recent months, this blog has reposted a number of articles/commentaries critical of the government's handling of certain recent developments in Ethiopia.  It is also important to hear the government's side of these issues.  

"The Brief" of 6 April 2021 issued by the Ethiopian embassy in London offers a good summary of the Ethiopian government's position on ethnic attacks in Oromia, the situation in Tigray, upcoming Ethiopian elections, negotiations with Sudan and Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the Ethio-Sudan border dispute.  

Eritrea's Goals in the Red Sea Basin

 The International Crisis Group posted on 6 April 2021 a 45-minute podcast titled "What Eritrea Wants" with Alan Boswell and Harry Verhoeven, a scholar on international politics in Africa.

Following the political transition in Ethiopia and Eritrea's alliances with Gulf states across the Red Sea, Asmara is looking to shape the region in its favor.  According to Verhoeven, Eritrean President Isaias believes the current conflict in Tigray Region is creating new political and security imbalances in the Horn of Africa that open the door to even more conflict.  Isaias is a realist who primarily acts to protect what he has built in Eritrea.

Comments by Senator Coons on Meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy

 Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 24 March 2021, Senator Christopher Coons, who recently returned from Ethiopia, made brief comments on his meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  Senator Coons offered a basically positive and upbeat account of the meeting.

Ethiopia's Tigray Crisis and Horn of Africa Politics

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 25 March 2021 a 38-minute podcast titled "Ethiopia's Tigray Crisis and Horn of Africa Politics."  Richard Atwood and guest host Comfort Ero talk with ICG  Horn of Africa director, Murithi Mutiga, about the fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region and mounting tension between Ethiopia and its neighbors Eritrea and Sudan.

Mutiga believes the fighting in Tigray is likely to become a long-running, grinding battle without any military victory by either side.  Tigrayans believe time is on their side.  They rely on rural support and believe their cause is just.  

Mutiga says Eritrea is committed to crushing the TPLF in order to reassert Asmara's power in the region, but argues that this approach also reinforces Tigrayan opposition to Eritrea.  In the assumption that a military victory is not possible, he urges major international intervention led by the African Union.  

Ethiopian Prime Minister Acknowledges Eritreans in Tigray Region

 Reuters published on 23 March 2021 an article titled "Ethiopian PM Confirms Eritrean Troops Entered Tigray during Recent Conflict."

In a parliamentary address, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged for the first time that Eritrean troops had crossed into Tigray Region and atrocities had occurred there; he promised the perpetrators would be punished.  

Ethiopia-Sudan Border Conflict

 World Politics Review published on 1 March 2021 a commentary titled "Ethiopia-Sudan Border Skirmishes Spark Fears of a Wider War" by Yasir Zaidan, National University of Sudan.  

A border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan could serve as a useful distraction from internal conflict in both countries but would also be catastrophic.  The author urges the Biden administration to make a project of reducing tension along the Ethiopia-Sudan border.  

War Over Border Not Anticipated between Ethiopia and Sudan

 The Voice of America posted on 16 February 2021 an article titled "Analysts See Continued Tension But No War Between Sudan, Ethiopia" by Naba Mohiedeen.  

The article concludes that decision makers in both Sudan and Ethiopia know going to war over the current border dispute is nonsensical.