Ethiopia, Eritrea sever ties amid Tigray escalation

Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations as renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region raises fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa.

The diplomatic rupture followed Ethiopia’s decision on Thursday to close its embassy in Asmara and expel 10 Eritrean diplomats, including the country’s chargé d’affaires and diplomats accredited to the African Union.

Addis Ababa said the decision was taken in response to what it described as Eritrea’s “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia.” The 10 diplomats were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country.

Eritrea subsequently announced that it was cutting all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, saying it had no option but 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,” its Foreign Ministry said.

The development came amid renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The latest clashes represent the biggest escalation in Ethiopia since the end of the 2020–2022 Tigray war, in which Eritrean forces fought alongside Ethiopian government troops. Eritrea was not a party to the 2022 peace agreement that ended that conflict.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF-led opposition alliance. The countries have denied the allegations.

The diplomatic crisis also widened to include Egypt. Ethiopia declared an Egyptian diplomat persona non grata and ordered him to leave within 48 hours. Egypt responded by ordering an Ethiopian embassy counsellor to leave the country within the same period.

The escalating tensions followed reports of explosions in Addis Ababa, while fighting continued in Tigray and neighbouring Afar region. Ethiopian government forces have been advancing towards Mekelle, the Tigray regional capital, according to Reuters.

The African Union Commission expressed concern over the deteriorating situation and urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint.

The continental body called on the three countries to refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and stability.

It also urged the countries to resolve their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.

The renewed crisis has raised concerns about the possible spread of the conflict beyond Ethiopia’s borders, particularly given the competing security and political interests of countries in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region.