Recent news has been marked by the emergency evacuation of the French embassy in Sudan, following a crisis situation. However, it is interesting to note that this evacuation did not signify a complete absence of diplomatic presence in the region, but rather a change in the location of representation. Indeed, for a month now, the French embassy has been relocated to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. And she is not the only one, because American, English and Italian diplomats have also chosen to settle in this city.
The decision to choose Addis Ababa as the new diplomatic center for Sudan is not insignificant. Indeed, the Ethiopian capital is home to the headquarters of the African Union, making it a strategic location for discussions and negotiations between the different parties involved in the conflict. In addition, Ethiopia hosts a large number of Sudanese, which facilitates contacts and exchanges between diplomats and the local population.
This relocation to Addis Ababa allows French diplomats and other countries concerned to maintain a direct link with the field and to remain informed of developments in the situation in Sudan. Naja Rabia, French ambassador for Sudan, underlines the importance of this link and explains that it is thanks to politicians, the political opposition and civil society that they obtain information on the ground.
The Sudanese civil opposition meets regularly in Addis Ababa, providing an opportunity for diplomats to support and encourage these meetings. Dindin Touré, political advisor at the French embassy, emphasizes that France believes in the mediation of the African Union and Igad (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) to find an African solution to the crisis in Sudan. The presence of the French ambassador in Addis Ababa therefore goes in this direction.
By choosing to resettle in Addis Ababa, French diplomats and other countries concerned are sending a strong message: they are present and committed to resolving the conflict in Sudan. They do not want to forget the humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Sudanese population and are actively working to find lasting solutions.
In conclusion, the relocation of the embassies of France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy to Addis Ababa as diplomatic centers for Sudan shows the importance of this Ethiopian capital in resolving the conflict. It is an opportunity for diplomats to be closer to the ground and to maintain dialogue with the different parties concerned. Let us hope that these diplomatic efforts will lead to a favorable outcome for the Sudanese population.