Ethiopia Orders Eritrean Diplomats Out, Closes Asmara Embassy Amid Rising Tensions

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered ten Eritrean diplomats based in Addis Ababa to leave the country within 48 hours after declaring them 'persona non grata'. Ethiopia also announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara, citing alleged hostile actions by the Eritrean government. According to the Ethiopian statement, the diplomats breached the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by engaging in activities that pose a direct threat to Ethiopia's national security. The diplomats, led by Mr. Biniam Berhe, represent Eritrea to both Ethiopia and the African Union. In response, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejected the allegations, describing them as a routine pretext by the Ethiopian government to divert attention from its internal political and security crises. Relations between the two Horn of Africa neighbors have deteriorated significantly following the end of the Tigray conflict and disputes regarding red sea access.