Ethiopia and Eritrea have broken off diplomatic relations following escalating clashes in northern Ethiopia, raising concerns that the conflict could spread across the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia announced on Thursday that it was shutting down its embassy in Asmara and instructed 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.
Addis Ababa accused the officials of engaging in activities that posed a threat to national security.
Eritrea responded by terminating diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, saying it had been compelled to take reciprocal measures.
Its foreign ministry described Ethiopia’s move as “astounding” and warned of possible negative consequences.
The diplomatic crisis emerged shortly after explosions were reported overnight in Addis Ababa, including in the vicinity of Ethiopia’s military headquarters.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries have intensified as Ethiopian federal troops fight the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and allied groups in Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing a newly formed rebel coalition, a claim repeatedly rejected by Asmara.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel told BBC Tigrinya that his country was not participating in the latest Tigray conflict.
The confrontation has also affected Ethiopia’s relationship with Egypt.
Ethiopian state media reported that an Egyptian diplomat had been ordered to leave within 48 hours, without providing an explanation.
Egypt subsequently instructed an Ethiopian embassy official to depart within the same timeframe.
The dispute comes amid longstanding tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile.
Egypt, which depends heavily on the river, has raised concerns about the project’s potential effect on its water supply.
The latest diplomatic rupture represents a major setback to the reconciliation achieved in 2018, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed restored relations with Eritrea after roughly two decades of hostility.
The agreement led to the reopening of the border and the reunification of families separated by the conflict. Abiy later received the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
The renewed violence is the most serious deterioration since the 2020–2022 Tigray war, a conflict that an African Union mediator estimated claimed about 600,000 lives.
Last month, the TPLF joined six other armed groups, including the Fano militia in Amhara, in an alliance seeking to remove Abiy’s government from power.
Fighting has reportedly intensified in southern Tigray, where federal troops and allied forces appear to be moving towards Mekelle, the regional capital.
At least 52 civilians were reportedly killed during three days of clashes around Alamata, according to a doctor who spoke to the BBC.
The conflict has also spread into Afar, an important route linking Ethiopia with Djibouti and international maritime trade. Tens of thousands of residents are believed to have fled their communities.
Both sides have accused the other of triggering the latest violence.
Tigrayan authorities claim federal forces launched an offensive supported by drone strikes, while Addis Ababa says Tigrayan fighters initiated attacks after seizing airports under federal administration.
Ethiopia and Eritrea were previously military partners during the Tigray war, when Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopian government forces against the TPLF.
Their relationship later deteriorated, particularly over Ethiopia’s demand for access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopia became landlocked after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, and Abiy has repeatedly described maritime access as important to the country’s economic and security interests.
Eritrea, however, has accused Ethiopia of harbouring ambitions involving its ports.
The African Union has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to show restraint and settle their disagreements through dialogue, warning that further escalation could destabilise the wider region.
The United Nations has meanwhile expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said drone operations and air strikes were endangering civilians, infrastructure and relief efforts, while insecurity and blocked roads were preventing aid workers from reaching vulnerable communities.
The UN has urged all parties to ensure humanitarian organisations can safely and freely deliver assistance to affected populations.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong