The 744-kilometer border between Ethiopia and Sudan is a fertile and historically contested frontier, a place where the highlands of Ethiopia meet the plains of Sudan. Once a bustling corridor for trade and migration, it has recently become a region of extreme volatility due to multiple, overlapping conflicts.
The main and most significant crossing point is at Metema in Ethiopia, which connects to Gallabat in Sudan. This route has traditionally been the primary economic artery between the two nations, a busy hub for agricultural trade.
Today, this entire border region is exceptionally dangerous and should not be approached. The civil war in Sudan has made travel within the country perilous, and the border area is directly affected by the fighting. Furthermore, the border is adjacent to Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions, which have experienced their own devastating conflicts and instability.
There are also long-standing territorial disputes between the two countries over fertile farmland in the al-Fashaga triangle, which has led to military clashes. Given the combination of civil wars and border disputes, this is one of the most hazardous frontiers in Africa. All official advisories will warn against any travel to this area.