Ethiopia Secretly Trains 4,300 Sudan Fighters Despite Calling for Peace

2026-02-10 region

Addis Ababa, 10 February 2026
Ethiopia operates a covert training facility for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces while publicly advocating for ceasefire, revealing the complex contradictions in regional diplomacy. The camp in Benishangul-Gumuz region houses over 4,300 fighters with alleged UAE funding and support, marking direct evidence of Ethiopia’s involvement in Sudan’s devastating civil war that has displaced millions since 2023.

Scale and Timeline of the Secret Operation

The training facility, located in Menge within Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region approximately 32 kilometres from the Sudanese border, began operations in April 2025 with forest clearing activities [1]. Construction accelerated significantly in October 2025, when tent construction commenced and the camp’s capacity expanded to accommodate up to 10,000 fighters by November 2025 [1]. As of early January 2026, approximately 4,300 RSF fighters were undergoing training at the facility [2][3], with satellite imagery confirming continued construction activity through late January 2026 [1].

UAE Funding and Logistical Support Allegations

Eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, have told Reuters that the United Arab Emirates financed the camp’s construction and provided military trainers and logistical assistance [5]. This allegation is corroborated by references in an internal Ethiopian security services note and a diplomatic cable reviewed by Reuters [5]. The UAE has offered Ethiopia $3 billion in aid and investments following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power, and signed a memorandum of understanding between UAE and Ethiopian air forces in 2025 [1]. However, the Emirati foreign ministry has categorically denied involvement, stating it was not a party to the conflict or involved ‘in any way’ in the fighting [2][3].

Infrastructure Development and Strategic Location

Supporting infrastructure for the operation has undergone significant development since mid-2025. Asosa airport, located approximately 53 kilometres from the training camp, has been extensively upgraded since mid-2025, including the construction of new hangars and drone ground control infrastructure [2][3]. The Ethiopian military plans to establish Asosa airport as a drone operation centre [1], with construction of a UAV ground control station confirmed through satellite imagery [1]. The strategic positioning of the camp places it approximately 63 miles from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam [1] and 100 kilometres from this critical infrastructure [4].

Regional Impact on Refugee Communities and Border Security

The establishment of this training facility has profound implications for refugee safety and border security across the Horn of Africa region. Sudan’s civil war, which began in 2023 between the national army and the RSF, has already created a humanitarian catastrophe with millions of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad, Libya, and South Sudan [4][5]. The presence of an active military training facility near international borders raises serious concerns about cross-border security and the safety of refugee populations who have sought sanctuary in the region. As of 8 February 2026, Sudan remains effectively divided, with the army controlling the east and centre while the RSF controls most of the western territories [6], a partition that has deepened since the RSF overran El Fasher in October 2025 [6].

Bronnen

Sudan conflict Ethiopia military