African Union Commission Expresses Concern Over Tensions Between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt

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The African Union Commission expressed its deep concern on Friday over the escalating tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt.

The Commission called on the three member states to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from any actions or statements that could escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and stability.

It urged the three countries to address their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue, in accordance with the principles of the African Union's founding law.

The African Union Commission affirmed its readiness to support efforts aimed at de-escalation, dialogue, and reaching a peaceful resolution to the disputes.

The Eritrean government announced in a statement on Thursday that it has severed all diplomatic relations with Ethiopia amid ongoing developments and escalating tensions between the two countries.

This announcement comes after Ethiopia declared the closure of its embassy in Asmara and demanded that Eritrean diplomats leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.

The Eritrean government accused Ethiopia of pursuing hostility and declaring an open war against Eritrea for the past three years, seeking to obtain a sovereign outlet to the sea by invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas.

These developments follow accusations from the governor of the Afar region in Ethiopia, claiming that the Eritrean army is directly participating in the ongoing war in northern Ethiopia with its leadership and heavy weapons, and that it aims to cut the route between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry also demanded that a member of the diplomatic staff at the Egyptian embassy in Ethiopia, Ahmed Moharram Ahmed Suleiman, leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated that according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it has notified the Egyptian embassy that Ahmed Moharram Ahmed Suleiman is a persona non grata. (Without mentioning details)

In turn, Egypt quickly responded to Ethiopia's decision to expel a member of the Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa and decided to expel the Ethiopian embassy's advisor in Cairo.

In response to the Ethiopian government's declaration of a member of the Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa as a persona non grata, a responsible Egyptian source described this action as "unfortunate" and unjustified, explaining that the Egyptian side has always affirmed its complete rejection of interference in the internal affairs of countries and refraining from commenting on events in other countries, including Ethiopia, in respect of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The source concluded by stating that in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ethiopian embassy's advisor in Cairo has been considered a persona non grata and the Egyptian authorities have given him 48 hours to leave the country.