Ethiopia and Sudan have closed each other’s consulates near their shared border, following escalating diplomatic tensions over allegations of supporting armed groups fighting in both countries.

Ethiopia accused Sudan of backing rebels in its northern Tigray region, while Sudan alleged that Ethiopia was allowing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to use its territory to launch attacks.

The diplomatic fallout has raised fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa, although Sudan says it is making efforts to avoid an open war with Ethiopia