Reuters, February 11 (Darfur24)
A Reuters investigation has revealed what it describes as a covert training camp in Ethiopia preparing thousands of fighters linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), raising urgent concerns about the widening regional dimension of Sudan’s war.
The report, based on multiple sources, security documents, and satellite imagery, points to alleged cross-border military support that could further intensify the conflict.
According to eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian official, the camp is located in the Benishangul-Gumuz region near the Sudanese border. The sources said the facility receives funding and logistical backing from the United Arab Emirates, including the presence of military trainers, based on an internal Ethiopian security memo and a diplomatic cable reviewed by Reuters. The UAE has denied any involvement in the Sudan conflict.
The security memo indicated that around 4,300 RSF fighters were undergoing training at the site in early January, with projections that the number could rise to approximately 10,000. Sources said the recruits include Ethiopians, as well as fighters from Sudan and South Sudan.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters reportedly show a major expansion of the camp since October, including the construction of hundreds of tents and supporting infrastructure. The images also indicate increased activity at the nearby Assosa airport, which is said to be undergoing development that could support drone operations — raising regional security concerns due to its proximity to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Ethiopian authorities, the Ethiopian military, and the Rapid Support Forces have not issued official comments on the report. Analysts say the allegations point to a growing regional dimension in Sudan’s ongoing war.