On Wednesday, a statement went viral on social media purported to have been written by Dr. Abiy Ahmed warning Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni of fueling conflict in South Sudan.

By James Chatim

The Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan, Nebil Mehdi has refuted the alleged statement that the country’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed had warned Uganda against fueling political tension in South Sudan.

On Wednesday, a statement went viral on social media purported to have been written by Dr. Abiy Ahmed warning Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni of fueling conflict in South Sudan.

The statement followed the alleged deployment of the UPDF Special Forces to Juba.

In an exclusive interview with The City Review, Ambassador Mehdi said the statement was fake news adding that South Sudan as sovereign nation has right to establish bilateral relations based on their sovereignty.

“We have a strong cooperation as IGAD members and as guarantors, and at the same time, any country as a sovereign nation can have bilateral relations based on their sovereignty, but there is no such news or statement from the Ethiopian side,” he said.

“We should not follow such social media claims. This is fake news. I want to confirm also, Ethiopia and Uganda have a very strong bilateral and historical relation,” Mehdi noted.

“Ethiopia is working hard as a member of IGAD and guarantors of the peace agreement of 2018. Our Prime Minister is one of the key leaders that supported South Sudanese people for the 2018 peace agreement to be signed in Addis Ababa.”

The diplomat continued that even Emperor Haile Selassie was the one who facilitated the signing of the Addis Ababa agreement of 1972, and that the late Prime Minister, Col. Mangistu, and the former Prime Minister Haile Mariam, all supported the peace and stability of this great nation.

However, the ambassador reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment stating that his country stands beside the people and government of South Sudan to see a peaceful and stable country and to have a fair and transparent election at the end of this extended transition period in 2026.

He highlighted the shared culture and language of some Ethiopian citizens with South Sudanese, emphasizing that whatever affects South Sudan has impacts on Ethiopia.

Ambassador Mehdi applauded the support by President Kiir to Ethiopian Embassy and the strong relationship with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.

“I am taking this opportunity to reiterate Ethiopia’s commitment. Always, Ethiopia is standing beside the people and government of South Sudan to see a peaceful and stable South Sudan and to have a fair and transparent election at the end of this extended transition period, 2026.

“I call upon the signatories to de-escalate the situation and have dialogue. This dialogue is the only solution for sustainable peace and stability in this country. At this time, Ethiopia is not only standing beside South Sudan at the time of crisis. At the time of peace also, we are together.”

“We are very grateful to His Excellency President Salva Kiir for the public statement that he will never return the country back to war. We are very grateful and appreciate his commitment and his support.” Ambassador Mehdi said.