Ethiopia and Eritrea Sever Diplomatic Ties Amid Escalating Tensions

Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations following a resurgence of intense fighting in northern Ethiopia, fueling concerns of a broader regional conflict. Ethiopia announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave, accusing them of activities threatening national security. Eritrea responded by cutting its own diplomatic ties, stating Ethiopia's decision left it no alternative but to reciprocate.

Highlights

• Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled diplomats, citing national security concerns against Eritrea.
• Eritrea retaliated by severing all diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.
• This diplomatic fallout occurs amidst heavy clashes between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies in northern Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat, prompting a reciprocal action from Egypt.
• Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea deteriorated over Ethiopia's push for Red Sea access and Eritrea's concerns about its ports.

Details

Over 50 people have reportedly been killed since heavy fighting resumed in northern Ethiopia last week. The diplomatic confrontation occurred hours after powerful explosions were heard near Ethiopia's military headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting a new rebel alliance, an allegation Eritrea consistently denies. Eritrea's foreign ministry described the expulsion of its ambassador as "astounding" and warned of "negative corollaries" from the decision.

This diplomatic break marks a dramatic reversal from 2018, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed restored relations with Asmara, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. However, recent tensions have escalated, particularly over Ethiopia's desire for direct access to the Red Sea, which Eritrea views as a potential threat to its sovereignty over its ports. Last month, the TPLF joined six other armed movements to form an alliance aiming to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government from power.

Separately, Ethiopia's relations with Egypt have been strained for years due to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile for water, fears the dam's impact on its water share. Both the Ethiopian government and the TPLF blame each other for initiating the latest hostilities. The African Union and the United Nations have urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels.

Why it matters

The severing of diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea further complicates the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia and heightens the risk of regional instability. This development represents a significant setback for the peace process initiated in 2018, which earned Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize. Additionally, Ethiopia's strained relations with Egypt underscore the multifaceted crises deepening across the region.