OMM Redaksiyası
The African Union Commission on Thursday urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise restraint amid rising tensions over seaport access, water resources and shifting military alliances in the Horn of Africa.
In a statement, the commission said it was following the escalation “with concern” and called on the three member states to avoid actions or statements that could undermine regional peace and stability.
AU calls for dialogue
The commission stressed the need to keep communication channels open and urged the countries to address their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue, in line with the principles of the African Union’s Constitutive Act.
“The AU Commission stands ready, in consultation with the countries concerned, to support efforts towards de-escalation, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of differences,” it said.
Diplomatic measures between Ethiopia and Eritrea
In a diplomatic note to Egypt’s embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that embassy employee Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman had been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.
Ethiopia also decided to close its embassy in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata. Eritrea responded by deciding to sever diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.
The moves came as clashes resumed between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in northern Ethiopia.
Disputes over access, water and alliances
Tensions are rooted in several disputes, including Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to maritime routes despite being landlocked, long-running disagreements between Egypt and Ethiopia over water resources and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and changing military and security alliances across the Horn of Africa.
