Ethiopia has ordered an Egyptian diplomatic staff member to leave the country within 48 hours, according to a notification published by the state-run Ethiopian News Agency. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally notified the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa that Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman had been declared persona non grata. The decision was made under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The move comes as Ethiopia's relations with neighbouring Eritrea have sharply deteriorated amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. On Thursday, Ethiopia announced that it would close its embassy in Eritrea and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, giving them 48 hours to leave the country. Addis Ababa accused the diplomats of engaging in activities that posed a direct threat to Ethiopia's national security.
Eritrea subsequently said it would sever diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, describing the decision as a reciprocal response to the expulsion of its diplomats. The escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have raised concerns about regional stability. The two countries have a complex and often contentious relationship, with Eritrea gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993.
The African Union Commission has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue. In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission said it was following the heightened tensions between the three countries with concern. The AU urged the three governments to avoid actions or statements that could further escalate tensions.
The latest developments come amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, where federal forces have been battling armed opposition groups. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance involved in the fighting. The three countries have denied the allegations. The conflict in Tigray has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering and displacement.
Relations between Ethiopia and Egypt have also been strained by a long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia built on the Blue Nile. Egypt has expressed concerns about the dam's impact on downstream water supplies, while Ethiopia says the project is intended to generate electricity and support its economic development. The dispute has been a major point of contention between the two countries.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry had not immediately commented on the expulsion of the Egyptian diplomat. The move is likely to further strain relations between Ethiopia and Egypt, which have been tense in recent years. The African Union's call for restraint and dialogue may help to de-escalate tensions, but the situation remains volatile.
Key points
- Ethiopia declares Egyptian diplomatic staff member persona non grata
- Ethiopia and Eritrea engage in reciprocal expulsions of diplomats
- African Union calls for restraint and peaceful dialogue
