Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued separate directives ordering the expulsion of diplomats from both Egypt and Eritrea, occurring amid reported drone strikes and ongoing security concerns in and around Addis Ababa.
Expulsion of Egyptian Diplomatic Staff Member
In a formal communication sent to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian officials declared Egyptian diplomatic staff member Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman persona non grata.
Citing the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Ethiopian government instructed the diplomat to depart the country within 48 hours. The ministry stated that the notification adheres to established international protocol governing diplomatic relations while extending standard assurances of diplomatic consideration to the Egyptian embassy.
Mission Closure and Diplomatic Expulsions involving Eritrea
Simultaneously, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry announced the immediate closure of its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea, alongside the expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats stationed in Addis Ababa. The diplomats were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave Ethiopian territory.
According to official statements from Addis Ababa:
- Security Allegations: The decision was taken in response to alleged direct and indirect hostile actions by Eritrea, with Ethiopian authorities claiming the diplomats engaged in activities that posed a direct threat to national security in violation of diplomatic conventions.
- Policy Stance: Despite shuttering its mission and ordering the expulsions, Ethiopia stated it maintains respect for historical and cultural ties with the Eritrean population and reiterated a commitment to regional stability and peaceful dispute resolution.
Counter-Statement from Eritrea
Eritrea’s Ministry of Information issued a statement addressing the diplomatic measures and broader regional relations:
- Status of Personnel: The Eritrean government stated that the affected diplomatic personnel in Addis Ababa included officials holding accredited credentials, including representatives registered with the African Union.
- Rejection of Claims: Asmara rejected the assertions made by Ethiopian authorities, describing the political actions and security concerns as misguided.
- Background Allegations: The Eritrean ministry pointed to three years of friction involving cross-border protocols, internal regional instability, and alleged support for opposition groups, stating that its focus remains on safeguarding national sovereignty.
