Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties, escalating tensions between the two nations. Ethiopia announced it was closing its embassy in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, and ordering 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave within 48 hours, citing national security concerns. Eritrea responded by severing diplomatic ties, saying Ethiopia's decision left it with no choice but to take reciprocal action.
The diplomatic confrontation comes amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, which has raised fears of a wider regional conflict. The conflict involves Ethiopian federal forces battling fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies across parts of Tigray, Afar, and Amhara. The hostilities are the most serious since a peace agreement ended the devastating Tigray war in 2022.
An African Union mediator previously estimated that about 600,000 people died during the two-year Tigray war. The TPLF has joined six other armed movements to form an alliance aiming to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government from power. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting the alliance, which Eritrea denies. A pro-government militia commander alleged Eritrean soldiers were involved on the front lines, but this has not been independently verified.
Eritrea's Information Minister, Yemane Gebremeskel, rejected accusations of Eritrean involvement, saying Ethiopia's governing party was blaming neighboring countries to divert attention from internal conflicts. The two countries were allies during the 2020-2022 Tigray war but have since deteriorated, particularly over Ethiopia's push for direct access to the Red Sea. Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of pursuing a hostile policy over the Red Sea.
Landlocked Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea became independent in 1993. Prime Minister Abiy argues that access to the sea is essential for Ethiopia's long-term economic and security interests. The latest diplomatic confrontation came hours after loud explosions were heard in Addis Ababa, close to the intelligence service headquarters. A source linked to the opposition alliance claimed its forces carried out drone attacks.
Ethiopian authorities have not confirmed the cause of the explosions, and there have been no official reports of casualties or significant damage. The National Intelligence and Security Service imposed an indefinite ban on drone flights over Addis Ababa and surrounding areas, citing security concerns. Meanwhile, fighting continues across northern Ethiopia, with federal forces and their allies making gains in southern Tigray.
The African Union has urged Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to exercise restraint and resolve differences through diplomatic channels, warning against actions that could further destabilize the region. The UN has warned that the deteriorating security situation is severely disrupting humanitarian work in northern Ethiopia, putting civilians, vital infrastructure, and aid operations at risk.
Key points
- Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties amid escalating conflict in northern Ethiopia.
- The conflict involves Ethiopian federal forces battling fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies.
- The African Union and UN have urged restraint and diplomatic resolution to prevent further destabilization in the region.
