Addis Ababa called on Sudan to "evacuate Ethiopian lands and respect the international law," saying that "Khartoum is the cause of the tensions, while Ethiopia still believes in the importance of dialogue."
According to the Ethiopian "FanaBC" network, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Dina Mufti said that "the Sudanese forces crossed the border and plundered the property of citizens."
Mufti’s statements came during a hypothetical press conference attended by a group of local and international media workers working in southern Sudan. The conference discussed a number of issues, most notably the tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan due to the conflict over border areas between the two countries.
Mufti explained that "relations between the Ethiopian and Sudanese peoples are good," adding, "But Sudan caused the conflict."
He added that Addis Ababa is ready for dialogue at any time with any country. "We are looking forward to diplomatic solutions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam."