Addis Abeba — Former Ethiopian peacekeepers of Tigrayan origin, who were stationed in the Abyei region bordering Sudan and South Sudan, are currently facing heightened security concerns amidst the escalating conflict in Sudan. Seeking asylum in Sudan two years ago amidst the Tigray war, these ex-peacekeepers now face escalating risks as recent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified. In 2022, 528 Ethiopian troops hailing from the Tigray region and serving as peacekeepers within the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) sought political asylum in Sudan. Their asylum request coincided with the peak of the Tigray war and reports of the detention of ethnic Tigrayan military personnel in Ethiopia. Speaking anonymously, he highlighted the lack of security guarantees amidst escalating tensions between conflicting factions in Sudan.

Source: Ethiopian News May 16, 2024 14:38 UTC