Ethiopia closes embassy in Eritrea, expels 10 diplomats amid rising tensions

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to close its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea, in response to what it described as direct and indirect acts of hostility and aggression by Eritrea against Ethiopia.

The ministry also announced that ten Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa have been declared persona non grata for engaging in activities that pose a direct threat to Ethiopia’s national security, in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The diplomats have been ordered to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.

Ethiopia urged the Eritrean government to cease all actions that contradict the principles governing relations between sovereign states.

Ethiopia emphasized its strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Eritrea, and said it has consistently prioritized peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and integration.

Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and to working with all countries in the Horn of Africa to advance lasting peace, security, and regional integration.