The African Union Commission asked Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements that could deepen tensions, warning that further escalation could undermine peace and stability in the region.
In a statement from Addis Ababa, the Commission said it was closely following the growing tensions between the three countries and stressed the need to keep channels of communication open.
The AU said Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt should address their differences through established diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue in line with the principles of the organisation’s Constitutive Act.
It also said it was ready to work with the three governments in efforts to reduce tensions and support a peaceful settlement of their differences.
The appeal came as relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea deteriorated sharply. Ethiopia announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats, including the chargé d’affaires, to leave the country after accusing them of involvement in activities it said threatened national security.
Eritrea rejected the accusations and responded by severing diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, accusing Addis Ababa of pursuing hostile policies against it.
Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had chosen to respond in kind following Ethiopia’s decision.
The diplomatic confrontation has unfolded alongside renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, where federal forces are battling an alliance of armed opposition groups led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Ethiopia’s military leadership has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government. Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt have rejected those allegations.
Egypt said its foreign policy respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states and rejected interference in their internal affairs.
Fighting has spread across parts of Tigray, Amhara and Afar, increasing concern that Ethiopia’s internal conflict could draw neighbouring countries more directly into the crisis. Explosions were also reported in Addis Ababa as the fighting widened.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea had already worsened after the 2020-2022 Tigray war, despite Eritrean forces having fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops during that conflict.
Disagreements over regional security and Ethiopia’s push for access to the Red Sea have added to tensions between the two neighbours.
Ethiopia and Egypt have also had strained relations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, while recent accusations linked to the renewed fighting have added another source of tension between Addis Ababa and Cairo.
Against that backdrop, the African Union said continued communication and dialogue were necessary to prevent the tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt from developing into a wider regional confrontation.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10