The African Union Commission has issued a statement calling for restraint and peaceful dialogue between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt as tensions escalate in the region. The commission is closely monitoring the situation and has warned against actions or statements that could further escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and stability. The AU Commission emphasized the importance of maintaining channels of communication and urged the three countries to address their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated, with the two countries expelling each other’s diplomats. On October 1, Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, giving them 48 hours to leave the country. Eritrea responded by announcing that it was severing diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and closing its embassy in Addis Ababa. This development has raised concerns about the stability of the region.
Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. However, the countries have denied these allegations. The tensions come amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict.
The AU Commission has reiterated its call for restraint and dialogue, stating that it is ready to support efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve the differences peacefully. The commission emphasized that its appeal is in line with the principles of the AU Constitutive Act, which promotes peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Separately, Ethiopia and Egypt have been involved in a diplomatic dispute, with Addis Ababa expelling an Egyptian diplomat and Cairo responding by expelling an Ethiopian embassy official. This dispute is linked to longstanding disagreements between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Nile water resources.
Regional relations are also shaped by longstanding disputes over Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea. The AU has previously warned that an escalation could undermine the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement that ended the two-year conflict between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about the potential for further escalation.
The African Union Commission has urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate tensions. The commission stands ready to support efforts towards de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of differences.
Key points
- The African Union Commission has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through peaceful and diplomatic means.
- Ethiopia and Eritrea have expelled each other’s diplomats, while Ethiopia and Egypt have also been involved in a diplomatic dispute.
- The AU Commission is ready to support efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve the differences peacefully.
