Netanyahu Map Reportedly Labels Ethiopia and Sudan's RSF as 'Friendly' to Israel and UAE

A map associated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly depicts Ethiopia and Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as 'friendly' to Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a daily brief published by Addis Standard.

Full details of the map were not available at the time of writing. These include the setting in which it was presented and the complete list of countries and groups it classified. The reported characterisation places Ethiopia, a sovereign state, in the same category as a non-state armed group that is fighting Sudan's national army.

Why the depiction matters

Maps and graphics that political leaders use to illustrate alliances can carry diplomatic weight beyond their visual purpose. A public suggestion that Ethiopia belongs to an informal grouping aligned with Israel and the UAE could affect how neighbouring states and regional blocs view Addis Ababa's foreign policy, at a time of heightened tension in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia has long maintained diplomatic relations with Israel. The two countries also share historical and community ties, including through Israel's population of Ethiopian origin. In recent years the UAE has become one of Ethiopia's most significant economic and political partners, with investment and financial cooperation expanding.

Ethiopia has generally described its foreign policy as non-aligned and focused on national interests. It maintains relationships with a wide range of partners in the Gulf, Africa, Europe and Asia.

The RSF and Sudan's war

The reported inclusion of the RSF is particularly sensitive. Since April 2023, the paramilitary force has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces. The conflict has killed large numbers of civilians, displaced millions of people and caused one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.

Sudan's army-aligned authorities have repeatedly accused the UAE of supplying the RSF with weapons and other support. The UAE has consistently denied the allegations. The RSF has also faced international accusations of grave abuses against civilians, particularly in the Darfur region.

Given these accusations, a depiction that groups the RSF with Israel and the UAE as 'friendly' actors could draw criticism from Sudanese officials and add to existing debate about external involvement in the war.

Key points

• A map associated with Netanyahu reportedly identifies Ethiopia and Sudan's RSF as 'friendly' to Israel and the UAE.
• The full context and content of the map have not been independently confirmed.
• Ethiopia maintains ties with both Israel and the UAE but officially describes its foreign policy as independent.
• The RSF remains at war with Sudan's army. The UAE denies accusations that it backs the group.

Reactions awaited

At the time of publication, it was not clear whether the Ethiopian government had publicly responded to the reported depiction. The positions of Sudan's authorities and the RSF on the map were also not immediately known.

Competition among Middle Eastern powers for influence along the Red Sea corridor has been widely reported. In that environment, public statements by foreign leaders about who counts as an ally can have consequences for regional diplomacy.

Addis Gazette will continue to follow the story and will update readers as official reactions and further details become available.

Source: Addis Standard