Eritrea Sever Diplomatic Ties with Ethiopia Following Expulsion of Diplomats

Eritrea has announced the complete severance of its diplomatic relations with Ethiopia following a series of retaliatory diplomatic actions between Asmara and Addis Ababa. The diplomatic fallout escalated after the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on October 1, 2026, that it would close its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats, including Chargé d'Affaires Biniam Berhe, to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours, declaring them 'persona non grata' for allegedly participating in activities that threaten Ethiopia's national security in violation of the Vienna Convention. In response, Asmara accused Addis Ababa of arming Eritrean opposition forces to cause internal conflict and attempt regime change in Eritrea, while also accusing Ethiopia of waging a war rhetoric over access to the sea for the past three years. Consequently, Eritrea stated it had no option but to cut off all diplomatic ties. This sharp deterioration in bilateral relations marks a significant breakdown since the historic 2018 peace agreement signed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afwerki, which had temporarily restored embassy operations after twenty years of conflict.