Link to A Reuters investigation reveals the existence of a military base in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, allegedly financed by the United Arab Emirates. As Sudan’s conflict spreads, concerns grow over regional stability and the impact on Ethiopia’s already fragile domestic situationA Reuters investigation reveals the existence of a military base in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, allegedly financed by the United Arab Emirates. As Sudan’s conflict spreads, concerns grow over regional stability and the impact on Ethiopia’s already fragile domestic situation
Ethiopia is reportedly hosting a secret camp designed to train thousands of fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the powerful paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s civil war. The claim emerges from a Reuters investigation based on government, diplomatic and security sources, as well as satellite imagery analysis.
The site is said to be located in the western Benishangul-Gumuz region, about 32 kilometers from the Sudanese border and not far from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. Satellite images show hundreds of tents, heavy vehicles and newly built infrastructure, while a diplomatic cable refers to a potential capacity of up to 10,000 fighters. According to an internal note from Ethiopian security services reviewed by the news agency, about 4,300 RSF fighters were undergoing training at the site in early January.
Eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian official, stated that the camp’s construction was financed by the United Arab Emirates, which allegedly provided military trainers and logistical support. Abu Dhabi has denied any direct involvement in the Sudanese conflict. Nonetheless, ties between Ethiopia and the UAE have deepened in recent years, with defense agreements and multi-billion-dollar investments dating back to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power in 2018.
Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in 2023 following a power struggle between the regular armed forces and the RSF during a failed political transition, has caused thousands of deaths, widespread famine and millions of displaced people fleeing to Egypt, Chad, Libya and South Sudan. The involvement of regional actors now risks transforming the conflict into an even broader crisis, with direct repercussions for neighboring countries.
According to the sources cited by Reuters, recruits at the Ethiopian camp are mainly Ethiopian nationals, but also include South Sudanese and Sudanese citizens, some reportedly linked to rebel groups active in Sudan’s Blue Nile state. Part of these fighters are said to have already crossed the border to reinforce RSF units in that region, which has become one of the new fronts in the war.
The investigation also highlights increased activity at Asosa airport, about 53 kilometers from the camp. Satellite imagery shows the construction of new hangars, paved aprons and what appears to be a drone ground control station—elements that several analysts associate with enhanced operational capabilities in Ethiopia’s western corridor. Some sources claim that these works, too, were financially backed by the UAE, a detail Reuters could not independently verify.
The Ethiopian government did not respond substantively to requests for comment regarding the existence of the camp. In a joint statement issued on January 6, Ethiopia and the UAE called for a ceasefire in Sudan while emphasizing the strength of their security cooperation.
These revelations come amid a complex domestic context for Addis Ababa. Following the devastating conflict in Tigray and rising tensions with Amhara militias—who represent a significant share of the population—the country remains marked by deep ethnic and political fractures. Some regional observers suggest that increased military activity along the Sudanese border and the strengthening of ties with Abu Dhabi may reflect both strategic ambitions, including efforts to secure access to the Red Sea, and the government’s need to consolidate power during a period of pronounced internal instability.
Beyond the capital Addis Ababa—showcased as a symbol of modernization and bolstered by significant foreign investment—large parts of the country continue to grapple with economic hardship, armed tensions and infrastructural deficiencies. If confirmed, the activities in Benishangul-Gumuz would represent yet another pressure point in an already fragile region, where the line between national security and the projection of external influence appears increasingly blurred.
(Associated Medias) - all rights reserved(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati