The Ethiopian government on Sunday called for a joint investigation into an incident that took place along the border with Sudan on May 28, reported Africa News.
In an official statement, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the two countries to work together through existing military mechanisms to address and jointly investigate circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We are of the view that such incidents are best addressed through diplomatic discussion based on the cordial and friendly relations and peaceful coexistence between the two countries,” the statement added.
The Ethiopian foreign ministry said it believes that the recent incident does not represent the strong ties between the people of the two countries. It expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to the families of victims of both the countries.
The statement came after Sudan summoned Ethiopia’s diplomat in Khartoum on Saturday over the cross-border attack that took place last week. It was allegedly carried out by a militia backed by Ethiopia’s military.
At least one Sudanese army officer and one child were killed in Thursday’s attack targeted a camp in the eastern city of Gadarif, according to a statement issued by Sudan’s military. As per the statement, seven Sudanese troops, including an officer, and three civilians also got wounded in the attack.
Sudan’s foreign ministry had earlier urged Ethiopia’s government to “take necessary measures to stop these attacks.”
The attack took place at a time when Khartoum was preparing for a meeting of a high-level joint committee on border issues.
Ethiopian farmers have for years planted crops in Sudan’s al-Fashqa border area but former President Omar al-Bashir’s government turned a blind eye on the incursions.
Sudanese current ruling government, which replaced al-Bashir last year after months of long protests, has recently engaged in talks with the Ethiopian government to get Ethiopian farmers withdrawn from Sudanese borders. Khartoum has also deployed more troops to its eastern border with Ethiopia to stop incursions.
