CAIRO — Ethiopian Ambassador to Sudan Yibeltal Aemero warned that his country would take the necessary measures if Sudan does not respond to calls for a peaceful and friendly solution to the border dispute between the two countries in al-Fashqa region. Speaking to Ethiopia’s official state television on Feb. 4, Aemero accused Sudan of violating and attacking Ethiopian territories.

Aemero’s statement came after the Sovereignty Council of Sudan asserted in a press statement Feb. 1 that it will not relinquish any part of the Sudanese territories on the borders with Ethiopia, stressing that Sudan believes in a peaceful solution with Ethiopia and that the war option is not on the table.

The dispute over al-Fashqa dates back decades. The disputed territory lies within the international border of Sudan, but Ethiopian farmers have been living and exploiting the region for a long time now.

In late 2020, clashes broke out between Ethiopian and Sudanese forces and lasted for weeks. In late January, limited clashes erupted again between Ethiopia and Sudan, with Ethiopia claiming that Sudan took advantage of the Ethiopian forces’ preoccupation with the Tigray conflict to occupy Ethiopian territories.