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Ethiopia expels six Sudanese consular staff and orders Assosa consulate closed

Associated Press reports six Sudanese consular staff were ordered out within 48 hours, while Sudan alleges drones were launched from Ethiopia.

Published Nov 4, 2026 · 21:43 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Ethiopia expelled six staff of Sudan's consulate in Assosa and ordered the mission closed, according to officials from both countries.[Associated Press]
  • An anonymous Ethiopian intelligence official said the six staff were given 48 hours to leave the country.[Associated Press]
  • Sudan alleges drones used by the Rapid Support Forces were launched from Ethiopia; Ethiopia and the UAE deny arming the group.[Associated Press]
  • Reporting does not establish whether the expulsions relate to the drone allegations, leaving the reason for the closure unclear.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • Ethiopia expelled six staff of Sudan's consulate in Assosa and ordered the mission closed, according to Ethiopian and Sudanese officials.[Associated Press]
  • An anonymous Ethiopian intelligence official said the six Sudanese consular staff were given 48 hours to leave the country.[Associated Press]
  • A Sudanese official said Ethiopian authorities summoned Sudan's ambassador on Sunday to announce the consulate's closure, and that the staff departed Tuesday evening.[Associated Press]
  • Sudan's Foreign Ministry said drones used by the Rapid Support Forces in attacks on electricity infrastructure were launched from Ethiopia.[Associated Press]
  • Ethiopia and the UAE have repeatedly denied arming the Rapid Support Forces.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Sudan's drone allegations against Ethiopia are unverified and attributed to Sudan's Foreign Ministry; Ethiopia and the UAE deny arming the Rapid Support Forces.[Associated Press]
  • The reporting does not establish whether the expulsions are linked to the drone allegations, and no official reason for the closure is given.[Associated Press]
  • The 48-hour deadline comes from an intelligence official who spoke anonymously without authorization to speak to the press.[Associated Press]
  • The account rests on reporting from a single outlet, Associated Press, and has not been independently established by other outlets in the provided material.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.