In a significant escalation, Eritrea has cut all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after the latter ordered the expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. This move comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea, along with Sudan and Egypt, of supporting a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been clashing with federal forces in northern Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that it had decided to close its embassy in Asmara in response to what it described as "acts of hostility and direct and indirect aggression" by Eritrea. The ministry also declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata and gave them 48 hours to leave the country. Eritrea's Information Minister, Yemane Gebre Meskel, confirmed that the expulsion of all Eritrean diplomats from Ethiopia effectively closed the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa.
Eritrea's Foreign Ministry responded by stating that it had no choice but to cut all diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, despite potential negative repercussions. The move is seen as a significant escalation in the deteriorating relations between the two countries. Ethiopia's actions were reciprocated by Eritrea, which declared it was cutting all diplomatic ties.
The diplomatic fallout has also involved Egypt, with Ethiopia declaring an Egyptian diplomat persona non grata and ordering him to leave within 48 hours. Egypt responded in kind, declaring an Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata and giving him 48 hours to leave Cairo. Egypt's source described the Ethiopian move as "unfortunate and unjustified," emphasizing that Egypt rejects interference in other countries' internal affairs.
The developments come on the back of reports of explosions heard in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, fuelling concerns of a potential widening of the conflict into a broader regional crisis. The African Union's Commission has urged the involved countries to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve their differences through established diplomatic channels.
The tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are linked to the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia, where the TPLF has been clashing with federal forces. Eritrea, along with Sudan and Egypt, has denied Ethiopian accusations of supporting the rebel group. The situation remains volatile, with fears of a wider conflict.
The international community is closely watching the developments, with the African Union calling for calm and diplomatic engagement. The region's stability is at risk, and efforts to de-escalate tensions are underway.
Key points
- Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties amid escalating tensions.
- The conflict is linked to the ongoing fighting in northern Ethiopia between federal forces and the TPLF.
- The African Union has urged restraint and peaceful dialogue to resolve the differences.
