Relationship dossier
Eritrea
Sudan
Relationship assessment
A history of proxy tensions alongside Eritrean mediation of Sudanese peace efforts
Eritrea toward Sudan
-10Eritrea hosted Sudanese opposition groups during periods of strained relations. It later mediated the 2006 Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement between Sudan’s government and the Eastern Front, demonstrating a significant, if intermittent, role in Sudanese peace efforts.
Sudan toward Eritrea
-15Sudan was accused of supporting Eritrean opposition movements, including armed groups, during periods of strained relations. The extent and continuity of such support are unclear.
Overall relationship
-5The relationship has been shaped by reciprocal security concerns and episodes of support for opposition groups, rather than by consistently close cooperation. Eritrea’s mediation of the 2006 Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement is a notable countervailing feature, but the broader pattern remains mixed and periodically confrontational.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Eritrea–Sudan relations have alternated between confrontation and practical engagement. Eritrea hosted Sudanese opposition groups during periods of strained ties, but later helped broker the 2006 Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement between Sudan’s government and the Eastern Front. Sudan also faced allegations of supporting Eritrean opposition movements. These episodes point to a mixed relationship shaped by cross-border security concerns and intermittent mediation.
Areas of tension
- Support or alleged support for opposition movements across the border
- Cross-border security concerns
Key developments
Eritrea mediated the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement between Sudan’s government and the Eastern Front.
Eritrea hosted Sudanese opposition groups during a period of strained bilateral relations.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral security arrangements are unclear.
- The extent of Sudanese government support for Eritrean opposition groups varied over time.