Ethiopia hosts secret camp to train Sudan’s RSF with UAE support, Reuters
February 10, 2026 (NAIROBI/LONDON) – Ethiopia is hosting a secret military camp to train thousands of fighters for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a Reuters investigation that provides the first direct evidence of Addis Ababa’s involvement in its neighbour’s devastating civil war.
The facility, located in the remote western region of Benishangul-Gumuz, marks a significant escalation in a conflict that has already displaced millions and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis across East Africa.
Sources familiar with the operation, including a senior Ethiopian government official and several diplomats, indicate that the United Arab Emirates has financed the site’s construction. Beyond funding, the UAE is alleged to have provided military trainers and logistical support, according to internal Ethiopian security memos and diplomatic cables reviewed by the news agency.
While the UAE foreign ministry stated it is not a party to the conflict, satellite imagery analyzed by experts corroborates reports of rapid development at the site and nearby infrastructure.
The camp’s location near the border with Sudan’s Blue Nile state is strategically significant. As of early January, approximately 4,300 RSF fighters were reportedly undergoing training at the facility.
These recruits, which include Ethiopians as well as individuals from South Sudan and Sudanese rebel groups, are expected to bolster RSF operations in the ongoing struggle for control of Sudan’s southern regions. Military officials noted that convoys of trucks have been seen transporting hundreds of trainees toward the border in recent weeks.
In addition to the training grounds, significant construction has been observed at Asosa airport, located roughly 33 miles from the camp. Satellite imagery reveals new hangars, paved aprons, and what experts identify as a ground control station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This infrastructure mirrors existing drone bases within Ethiopia and suggests a plan to shift aerial capabilities toward the country’s western flank. Analysts suggest the airport has become a vital node for supplying the RSF across the border.
The development has raised concerns about the security of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is approximately 63 miles from the new military site. Regional diplomats expressed concern that the proximity of a high-intensity training camp for a foreign paramilitary group could make the dam a target if the Sudanese conflict spills further into Ethiopian territory.
While the Ethiopian government has not commented on the findings, the military alliance between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi has strengthened significantly since 2018, underpinned by billions of dollars in UAE investment and aid.
This involvement adds a complex layer to a war that began in 2023 as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. With both sides now drawing heavily on international backers, the risk of a broader regional conflagration continues to grow.
The presence of the camp suggests that the RSF is securing a long-term pipeline of fresh soldiers and sophisticated technical support, even as international calls for a ceasefire intensify.