The bilateral relations between the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia have collapsed after both nations recalled their envoys and closed their diplomatic offices, as the civil war in North Tigray deepens in the latter nation.
Ethiopia was the first to declare the closure of its embassy in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, after claiming that the recent explosion in the Ethiopian National Defense Forces had the support of Eritrea.
Moreover, the country has declared persona non grata against 10 Eritrean diplomats and were given 48 hours to leave Ethiopia.
Consequently, Eritrea said it “had no choice” but to reciprocate Addis Ababa’s decision and denied allegations that it was taking the side of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its other allies in Ethiopia’s northern region.
Asmara added that the expulsion and banning of its diplomatic envoys could bear consequences for their future relations, which were rekindled eight years ago.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reached out to Eritrea in 2018 to re-establish their diplomatic relations after decades of conflict.
The two nations then worked together in quashing the forces of the TPLF between 2020 and 2022 before their ties spiralled out later on.
Egyptian-Ethiopian relations also facing turbulence
Ethiopia has also lashed out at the Egyptian and Sudanese governments for allegedly backing the TPLF that led to their uprising last week.
It has also ordered an Egyptian envoy to leave the country within 48 hours while declaring the diplomatic official persona non grata.
Egypt responded swiftly by ordering an Ethiopian embassy counselor to leave within 48 hours and barring the counselor from entering the country again.
Ethiopia and Egypt have been previously trading barbs during and after the construction of the controversial Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that risks the flow of the Nile River.
Egypt, along with Sudan, said that Ethiopia’s massive dam could impact the river’s water supply across the region and hit key sectors.
African Union calls for restraint, cooperation
The African Union has released a statement urging Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan to exercise utmost restraint and avoid taking further steps that could derail regional stability.
The bloc emphasized the need for continuous open channels for diplomatic communications between the said nations and to collaborate in easing tensions through dialogue.
It added that it has been closely monitoring the situation, assuring that it is ready to spearhead a space where all involved parties can pursue peaceful solutions in settling their differences.
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Ian Trinidad 
Newsjustnews writers 
Geoffrey H. Latayan