Sudan War: Drone Attacks in Chad and Upsurge in Blue Nile State

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 3 September 2026 an article titled "The Sudanese War Threatens to Regionalize" by Michael DeAngelo.

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) conducted its first drone strikes on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Chad, striking a 200-vehicle convoy 50 miles west of the Sudanese border, raising tensions with its neighbor.  The drones reportedly destroyed dozens of vehicles.  The SAF then attacked the remnants of the RSF convoy.

In the meantime, the RSF stepped up its attacks on SAF forces in Blue Nile State that borders Ethiopia.

Is Ethiopia Sliding Toward a New Tigray War?

 The International Crisis Group posted on 10 July 2026 a 40-minute podcast titled "Is Ethiopia Sliding Toward a New Tigray War?" with Alan Boswell and Payton Knopf, Dialogue Advisory Group and former U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.  

They discuss the background and status of the Pretoria Agreement and the rising risk of renewed war in Ethiopia's Tigray Region.  They look at how unresolved disputes over territory, Tigray's federal status, internal divisions, and worsening Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions could push the region back toward war.  They also unpack why escalating regional dynamics, including the war in Sudan, could make a renewed conflict even more explosive, why full-scale war is not inevitable, and what practical off ramps still remain.

Chad Closes Border with Sudan, Interrupting RSF Supply Lines

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 26 February 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.

Chad closed its border with Sudan following two attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Chadian troops inside Chad.  The RSF relies on supply lines through Chad for its weapons and equipment.  

Rising Tension Between Ethiopia and Eritrea

 The Reporter published on 28 June 2025 a commentary titled "Tigray Between Two Fires: Ethiopia's Red Sea Ambitions, Eritrea's Proxy Games and the TPLF's Last Stand" by Mulat Gebreslassie, independent consultant and attorney.

The continued presence of Eritrean troops in Tigrayan border areas has become a flashpoint with Ethiopia.  The Eritrean troops have been there since Asmara supported the Ethiopian federal government in its war with Tigray Region that ended in 2022.  Now there are concerns that Eritrea is engaging with a faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Tigray Defense Forces, using them as proxies to counter the Ethiopian federal government, which seeks an outlet through Eritrea to the Red Sea.  Consequently, tension is rising between Ethiopia and Eritrea.  

Benin Blocks China's First Oil Shipment from Niger

 Business Insider published on 9 May 2024 an article titled "Benin Blocks China's First Oil Shipment from Niger over Border Feud" by Adekunle Agbetiloye.  

The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) constructed a 1,200-mile pipeline to transport oil from Niger to a port on the Atlantic Ocean in Benin, as part of a $4.6 billion Chinese investment in Niger's oil sector.  Benin restricted the first export of fuel by ship from its port in retaliation for the Nigerien military government's continuing closure of the border with Benin, thus preventing the shipment of goods by truck from Benin to Niger.  In the meantime, CNPC is caught in the middle of the dispute between these two countries. 

The Fallout in Chad from the Fightng in Sudan

 The International Crisis Group published on 10 August 2023 an analysis titled "The Fallout in Chad from the Fighting in Darfur" by Enrica Picco.

The analysis provides the background on relations between Darfur and Chad and describes the impact on Chad of the ongoing fighting in Sudan.  Eastern Chad is struggling to accommodate refugees from Sudan.  

Joint Investigation of Ethiopian Migrants Killed Entering Saudi Arabia from Yemen

 CBS News published on 22 August 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia Launching Joint Investigation with Saudi Arabia after Report Alleges Hundreds of Migrants Killed by Border Guards."

Ethiopia announced it will launch a joint investigation with Saudi Arabia into the Human Rights Watch report of the killing of hundreds of Ethiopian migrants trying to cross from Yemen into Saudi Arabia.  In the meantime, Ethiopia urged against speculation, noting the "excellent longstanding relations" between Addis Ababa and Riyadh.   

Ethiopian Migrants Killed Trying to Enter Saudi Arabia

 Human Rights Watch published on 21 August 2023 a report titled "'They Fired On Us Like Rain' Saudi Arabia Mass Killings of Ethiopian Migrants at the Yemen-Saudi Border."

Between March 2022 and June 2023, Human Rights Watch research indicates that Saudi border guards killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants as they tried to cross from Yemen to Saudi Arabia in search of work or asylum.  

The State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa

 The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the East African Community (EAC) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) recently published the 172 page report titled "The State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa" for 2022.   

The focus of the report, written by 50 authors and contributors from the region, is the mobility dimensions of regional integration.  It takes stock of achievements and challenges in advancing regional integration and human mobility in East Africa and the Horn of Africa,

The report concludes that while several bottlenecks to advancing regional integration and mobility persist including unequal socio-economic conditions in and between states, fear and misperceptions of opening borders, infrastructural and border management capacity gaps, the benefits of regional integration and human mobility far outweigh the costs.

Sudan: Fighting in Khartoum, Talking in Jeddah

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 12 May 2023 a 43-minute podcast titled "Fighting in Khartoum, Talking in Jeddah" with Richard Atwood, senior ICG Sudan analyst Shewit Woldemichael, and ICG Horn of Africa project director Alan Boswell.  

They discuss how the fighting is evolving, clashes in Khartoum and Darfur, external involvement, the humanitarian crisis, and prospects for the US and Saudi-led talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions

 Chatham House published in April 2023 a paper titled "Coordinating International Responses to Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions" by Jonas Horner and Ahmed Soliman.  

Published before the recent outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the paper identifies the ongoing disagreement between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as the primary cross-border sensitive issue.  A second contentious issue concerns the contested fertile farmland of Al Fashaga along the Sudan-Ethiopia border and apparent Sudanese support for Tigrayan opponents of  the Ethiopian federal government.  

Impact of Sudan Conflict on Egypt

 The New Arab published on 24 April 2023 an article titled "What Does the Fighting in Sudan Mean for Egypt?" by Lara Gibson.

The article underscores the importance of the conflict in Sudan for Egypt and its possible impact on Nile water issues such as the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.  In recent years, Egypt and Sudan have tended to follow a common policy on the GERD.

Clan Conflict in Somaliland

 African Arguments published on 6 February 2023 an analysis titled "Crisis in Lasanod: Border Disputes, Escalating Insecurity and the Future of Somaliland" by Markus Virgil Hoehne, University of Leipzig.

The assassination of an opposition politician in a part of Somaliland disputed by clans on the border with Puntland has led to an outbreak of conflict.   The author provides a detailed background of the dispute and where it may lead.  

A Pessimistic Take on Ethiopia's Peace Agreement

 The London School of Economics and Political Science blog posted on 15 December 2022 a commentary titled "Peace Agreement Signed in Pretoria But the Future of Ethiopia Remains Uncertain" by Yohannes Woldemariam.

The author states that "Ethiopia is an empire that could be staring at complete disintegration."  He concludes that the solution for survival may be creation of a "loose confederation" of states.  

Plight of Tigrayan Refugees in Sudan

Source Site 29 posted on 5 December 2022 an article titled "In Sudan, Tigrayan Refugees between Hope and Skepticism" by Elliott Brachet.   

Of the original 63,000 Tigrayan refugees who crossed into Sudan, there are now only 43,000.  Some left for Libya with the goal of reaching Europe while others returned clandestinely to  Tigray to fight.  This article reports the reactions of some of the refugees to the unfolding crisis in Ethiopia.  

Podcast on Eritrea's Feud with Ethiopia's Tigray

 The International Crisis Group posted a 50-minute podcast with Michael Woldemariam, University of Maryland, titled "Eritrea's Long Bitter Feud with Ethiopia's Tigray" moderated by Alan Boswell.  

The podcast provides a background on the feud between the government of Eritrea and the TPLF leadership in Tigray Region.  Eritrea has dedicated significant forces to the Ethiopian central government effort to defeat Tigrayans in the civil war that broke out in 2020.  The immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Ethiopia is essential to a successful end of the conflict.  At the same time, there needs to be a conversation about Eritrea's security concerns.  

Nigeria to Install Chinese Border Security System

 Nigerian News Direct published on 10 October 2022 an article titled "FG Engages Huawei for Electronic Surveillance of Land Borders."

Nigeria has concluded plans to sign an agreement with Huawei Technologies to establish a 24/7 satellite-based electronic surveillance system along 5,000 kilometers of borders.

Ethiopia: Afar-Somali Region Border Dispute

 Ethiopia Insight published on 11 July 2022 a commentary titled "Afar-Somali Border Dispute Can Be Resolved Peacefully" by Muktar Ismail, a former adviser to Somali Region.  

The issue here is three special kebeles (wards) in Afar Region that are inhabited predominantly by Somalis and wish to be integrated into Somali Region.  There are historical arguments on both sides.  Conflict has periodically occurred along the border.  The author argues that elders from both sides should lead the negotiation process. 

Putin's War: Africans Care But Who Cares about Their Opinion?

 KT Press published on 6 June 2022 a commentary titled "War on Ukraine: Africa May Care But Who Cares for Its Opinion?" by Vincent Gasana, African journalist.

In a provocative commentary, the author concludes that Africans are not turning a blind eye to Putin's invasion of Ukraine.  Rather, they are watching helplessly, knowing their opinion will not count.  

Putin's World Order Devastating for Africa

 Foreign Policy published on 30 May 2022 a commentary titled "Putin's World Order Would Be Devastating for Africa" by Joseph Siegle and Jeffrey Smith.

Putin is taking a sledgehammer to the foundation of the once stable post-World War II order by normalizing geographic expansionism.  Would be tsars in Africa are watching to see if Putin gets away with this brazen overreach and violation of established borders.