Khartoum: Ethiopia and Sudan may have deferred tackling their long-standing border dispute over the Al-Fashaga region due to ongoing domestic challenges and conflicts within their respective countries. The Al-Fashaga region, located in Sudan's Gedaref State, is a fertile stretch of land exceeding one million acres and has been a focal point of contention between the two neighbors for decades.
According to Nam News Network, the dispute over Al-Fashaga is rooted in complex historical and legal disagreements. While efforts have been made to demarcate the border based on the 1902 lines, differing interpretations of colonial-era agreements have prevented a lasting resolution. Despite attempts by joint committees in the 1990s and early 2000s to develop technical solutions, binding actions have remained elusive.
On the ground, informal arrangements had allowed Ethiopian farmers to cultivate land in Al-Fashaga in exchange for partnerships or fees. However, the outbreak of the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia in late 2020 prompted Sudan's military to reassert control over portions of Al-Fashaga, leading to direct clashes between the two armies and bringing the border dispute back into sharp focus.
The Al-Fashaga region is an economic lifeline for both countries. For Sudan, it holds the potential to alleviate food insecurity by producing essential crops such as sesame, sorghum, and oilseeds. Meanwhile, Ethiopian farmers, particularly from the Amhara region, rely on its fertile soil for their livelihoods. The dispute thus extends beyond sovereignty to encompass critical issues of food security and survival.
The border conflict is further intertwined with broader regional dynamics, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia has occasionally used the border issue as leverage in negotiations with Sudan, while Sudan has similarly employed its territorial claims to strengthen its position in Nile water politics. The situation also holds implications for Egypt, which is concerned about potential instability in the Horn of Africa.
Efforts by regional organizations like the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to mediate the dispute have so far been limited to advocating dialogue and de-escalation, without yielding a lasting solution. Meanwhile, ordinary farmers on both sides remain the most vulnerable to the impacts of the dispute, facing disrupted harvests and heightened tensions.
Complicating matters further is the presence of armed militias along the border, which operate beyond the full control of either government and contribute to the risk of sudden escalation. The ongoing border dispute thus continues to pose significant challenges for Ethiopia and Sudan, impacting regional stability and the lives of those living in the Al-Fashaga region.