Eritrea has severed diplomatic ties with neighbouring Ethiopia, prompting Addis Ababa to announce it will shut its embassy in Asmara and declare 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata.
Key facts
- Eritrea has severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.
- Ethiopia says it will shut its embassy in Asmara.
- Ethiopia declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata.
- The moves have been described as a tit-for-tat exchange, according to Al Jazeera.
Eritrea has severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in what has been characterised as a tit-for-tat move between the two Horn of Africa neighbours, according to Al Jazeera.
In response to Eritrea’s decision, Ethiopia said it would shut its embassy in Asmara, the Eritrean capital. The closure marks a significant downgrade in formal relations between the two governments.
Addis Ababa also declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, a formal diplomatic designation that requires those officials to leave the country.
The exchange reflects a sharp deterioration in official contact between the two states, with both sides taking reciprocal measures against each other’s diplomatic presence.
Al Jazeera reported the developments on October 1, 2026. Further details about the specific triggers for the dispute were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Eritrea and Ethiopia share a long and often volatile history, and a formal break in diplomatic relations signals heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa. Such a rupture can complicate regional cooperation and raise concerns about stability in an area that has seen past conflict between the two countries.
Frequently asked questions
What did Eritrea do?
Eritrea severed its diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, according to Al Jazeera.
How did Ethiopia respond?
Ethiopia said it would shut its embassy in Asmara and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata.
When did this happen?
Al Jazeera reported the developments on October 1, 2026.