Ethiopia Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Eritrea as Tigray Fighting Escalates

Ethiopia and Eritrea have ended diplomatic relations amid a fresh escalation of fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, raising concerns over a potentially broader conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia announced on Thursday that it had closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats. Those ordered out included Eritrea’s chargé d’affaires and diplomats accredited to the African Union.

The Ethiopian government said the decision was prompted by what it called Eritrea’s “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia.” The diplomats were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country.

Eritrea responded by announcing the termination of diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, saying it was compelled to reciprocate Addis Ababa’s action.

“Eritrea has no option but to reciprocate in kind and sever all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia with all the negative corollaries that this entails,” the Eritrean Foreign Ministry said.

The breakdown in relations occurred as Ethiopian federal forces clashed with an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The renewed violence is the most serious escalation since Ethiopia’s 2020–2022 Tigray war, when Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopian government forces. Eritrea did not take part in the 2022 peace agreement that brought that war to an end.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of providing support to the TPLF-led opposition alliance. The three countries have rejected the allegations.

Egypt has also become involved in the diplomatic dispute. Ethiopia expelled an Egyptian diplomat, declaring him persona non grata and giving him 48 hours to leave. Egypt subsequently ordered an Ethiopian embassy counsellor to leave within the same period.

The latest tensions followed reports of explosions in Addis Ababa while clashes persisted in Tigray and the neighbouring Afar region. Reuters reported that Ethiopian government forces were advancing towards Mekelle, the Tigray regional capital.

The African Union Commission has raised alarm over the deteriorating situation and urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to show maximum restraint.

The continental organisation called on the three countries to avoid actions and statements that could worsen tensions or threaten regional peace and stability.

The AU also urged the countries to address their differences through diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.

The escalating crisis has sparked concerns about a possible expansion of the conflict beyond Ethiopia, particularly because of the overlapping security and political interests of countries across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

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