Eritrea to Sever Diplomatic Ties with Ethiopia Following Diplomat Expulsions

Eritrea has announced that it will sever all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia following the expulsion of 10 of its diplomats. The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two Horn of Africa neighbors. In a statement, the Eritrean government accused Ethiopia of pursuing an agenda of incessant hostility over the past three years. Asmara characterized this hostility as a publicly pronounced declaration of war driven by Ethiopia's ambitions. Specifically, Eritrea pointed to Addis Ababa's strategic ambition to secure sovereign access to the sea as the primary driver behind the friction. The announcement highlights a major breakdown in bilateral relations that had been re-established in 2018. Further details on the timeline of the diplomatic withdrawal remain to be seen as regional observers monitor the situation closely.