Getachew: Ethiopia won’t be a ‘passive bystander’ after Reuters report

The Ethiopian government has reportedly declined to renew the accreditation of three Addis Ababa–based journalists working for Reuters and has also withdrawn the agency’s credentials to cover the upcoming 39th African Union (AU) Summit, a Reuters spokesperson confirmed to Addis Standard. The spokesperson said Ethiopian authorities informed the news agency that the accreditation of its three journalists would not be renewed and that its credentials to report from the AU Summit had been revoked.

“The government of Ethiopia has withdrawn Reuters accreditation for the 39th African Union Summit as well as not renewing accreditation for Reuters’ three Addis Ababa-based journalists to work in the country,” the spokesperson said.

Ethiopian authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons for the decision. Despite the withdrawal, Reuters said it would continue reporting on Ethiopia. “Reuters is reviewing the matter and will continue to cover Ethiopia in an independent, impartial and reliable way in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles,” the spokesperson added.

The accreditation decision comes days after Reuters published an investigative report alleging that Ethiopia is hosting a covert training facility in its western Benishangul-Gumuz region, near the Sudanese border, to prepare thousands of fighters for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

While there have previously been reports suggesting possible Ethiopian involvement in Sudan’s war, the Reuters investigation marked the first detailed account alleging direct operational support. The report raised concerns about expanding regional involvement in one of the world’s deadliest ongoing conflicts.

Citing multiple sources, including Ethiopian officials and diplomatic communications, Reuters reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) allegedly financed the construction of the camp and supplied trainers and logistical support. Although Reuters said it could not independently confirm the UAE’s role, Sudan’s army has previously accused Abu Dhabi of arming the RSF — allegations considered credible by U.N. experts and some U.S. lawmakers. The UAE has denied involvement in the conflict.

According to the investigation, interviews with 15 sources and analysis of satellite imagery indicated that the Ethiopian camp has expanded rapidly since activity began in April, with significant development accelerating in October. Internal security documents reportedly showed that by early January around 4,300 RSF fighters were being trained at the site, with supplies allegedly provided by the UAE. The camp may have the capacity to host up to 10,000 recruits. Convoys of trucks carrying trainees were observed heading to the site in November, and satellite images showed hundreds of tents and ongoing construction.

Satellite evidence also pointed to significant upgrades at nearby Asosa airport, including infrastructure consistent with drone operations. Officials and analysts cited in the report suggested the airport may serve both Ethiopia’s broader military strategy along its western border and logistical support for the RSF. Some sources claimed the UAE funded these upgrades as well, though this remains unverified.

The Ethiopian government has not formally responded to the Reuters investigation. However, Getachew Reda, senior advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on East African affairs and former interim president of Tigray region, addressed the issue indirectly in remarks directed at opposition figure Jawar Mohammed.

Getachew accused Jawar of conflating personal opposition to the prime minister with criticism of Ethiopia’s national interests in the Sudan conflict.

He congratulated Jawar “for his persistent conflation of personal opposition to the Prime Minister with a coherent critique of Ethiopia’s long-term strategic interests,” adding that “disliking the ruling party does not free you from having to distinguish between regime politics and state/national interests.”

Jawar, once a close ally of Abiy but now a vocal critic, has in recent days accused the government of mishandling Ethiopia’s role in the Sudan crisis.

Getachew argued that Ethiopia cannot afford to be a “passive bystander” in a region marked by “intense geopolitical competition,” stressing that instability in Sudan poses a direct threat to Ethiopia’s security.

“Egypt and other regional actors are not neutral mediators; they are actively shaping the trajectory of the conflict to favor their preferred belligerents,” Getachew wrote, suggesting Ethiopia’s engagement is driven by national security imperatives rather than partisan politics.

The Reuters report has also drawn reactions from U.S. lawmakers across party lines.

On Wednesday, Senator Jim Risch, who chairs the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed alarm over reports linking the UAE to a training facility in Ethiopia allegedly supporting the RSF. He warned that such involvement could heighten regional instability and strengthen the case for designating the RSF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a move that would trigger significant penalties.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee also raised concerns. In a statement on Friday, committee Democrats accused the UAE of reportedly funding an RSF training camp in Ethiopia, warning that “external support like this only fuels Sudan’s brutal conflict.”

Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the panel’s top Democrat, pledged to continue holding major U.S. arms sales to the UAE, and to any country supporting the RSF or other combatants, pending further scrutiny.

Sudan’s conflict has drawn in an increasingly complex web of regional and international actors.

Eritrea has maintained close relations with Sudan’s army-led government, while credible reports indicate substantial support from the UAE for the RSF. Turkey and Egypt have been accused of providing covert backing to Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF). Sudan’s leadership has previously criticized Kenya and even severed ties over alleged support for RSF leaders. Mercenaries, including Colombian fighters, have reportedly joined the conflict through private military contracts linked to UAE-based firms.

If confirmed, Ethiopia’s involvement would further underline the growing number of external actors entangled in Sudan’s more than two-year war, a conflict that continues to destabilize the country and the wider region.