Tensions across the Horn of Africa are escalating, with Ethiopia cutting diplomatic ties with Eritrea while relations between Addis Ababa and Cairo have also deteriorated, amid renewed military confrontations in northern Ethiopia and growing security concerns in the capital.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara and the expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats, accusing them of activities that “pose a direct threat to national security.”
Eritrea responded by announcing a complete break in diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, accusing Addis Ababa of pursuing a “hostile approach” and preparing to seize access to sovereign coastal outlets.
The diplomatic rupture comes as relations between Ethiopia and Egypt have also entered a new phase of tension.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia declared Egyptian diplomat Ahmed Moharam Ahmed persona non grata and gave him 48 hours to leave the country.
Cairo responded in kind, declaring an Ethiopian Embassy adviser in Egypt persona non grata and ordering him to leave within 48 hours.
An Egyptian official quoted by Cairo News described Ethiopia’s move as “regrettable and unjustified,” while rejecting accusations that Cairo interferes in the internal affairs of other countries.The official also accused Addis Ababa of repeatedly attributing its internal crises and failures to external interference.