Diplomacy

Eritrea Severs Diplomatic Ties With Ethiopia Following Expulsion of Diplomats

AI SUMMARY

Eritrea has severed all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats.

Eritrea announced the severance of all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, stating it had no option but to reciprocate in kind.
The decision follows Ethiopia's order to close its embassy in Asmara and declare 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata.
Eritrea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Ethiopia's allegations of hostile activities, calling the diplomatic measures unwarranted acts of hostility.
Asmara accused Ethiopia of pursuing an agenda of incessant hostility over the past three years driven by ambitions to secure sovereign access to the sea.
Eritrea alleged that Ethiopia planned to acquire access to its ports through military invasion and accused Addis Ababa of hosting and training armed opposition groups.
Ethiopia stated its actions were in response to direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence by Eritrea, alleging diplomats violated the Vienna Convention.
Neither government provided independently verifiable details regarding the specific security allegations raised against each other.
The reciprocal diplomatic measures represent a major deterioration in relations between the two countries.