The African Union Commission has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint amid heightened tensions between the three countries. This appeal comes as diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated, with Asmara announcing that it was severing diplomatic ties with Addis Ababa. The commission urged the three countries to avoid actions or statements that could worsen the situation.
Eritrea attributed its decision to sever ties to Ethiopia's expulsion of Eritrean diplomats and the closure of its embassy in Asmara. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of hostile activities against it, while Eritrea has rejected the allegations. The tensions have emerged alongside renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, where forces aligned with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have been engaged in fighting with Ethiopia's federal forces.
Ethiopian authorities have accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance led by the TPLF. The countries accused by Addis Ababa have denied involvement. The diplomatic tensions have also extended to Ethiopia and Egypt after Addis Ababa declared an Egyptian diplomatic staff member persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours.
Egypt responded by expelling an Ethiopian embassy official under the principle of reciprocity. The AU Commission urged the three countries to preserve communication channels despite the diplomatic disputes. The commission underscored the importance of preserving channels of communication and urged the three countries to address their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.
The commission said its call was grounded in the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which provides the framework for relations among member states. The latest appeal comes days after the AU separately expressed concern over renewed military escalation in northern Ethiopia and called for the immediate cessation of actions that could further worsen the situation.
The AU Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, had urged the parties involved in the renewed Tigray conflict to resume direct talks under the framework of the November 2022 Pretoria peace agreement. He also called on neighbouring countries to avoid actions that could contribute to further escalation. The commission said it was ready to engage the countries concerned and support efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
The AU Commission's intervention places emphasis on maintaining diplomatic engagement and preventing the disputes involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt from developing into a broader regional confrontation. The commission stands ready, in consultation with the countries concerned, to support efforts towards de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of differences.
Key points
- The African Union Commission calls for diplomatic dialogue amid rising tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt.
- Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia citing expulsion of Eritrean diplomats and closure of its embassy in Asmara.
- The AU Commission urges the three countries to preserve communication channels and address differences through diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.
