Egypt and Ethiopia Mutually Expel Diplomats Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

Egyptian–Ethiopian relations entered a new phase of tension on Thursday after Cairo and Addis Ababa mutually declared diplomats from both countries persona non grata, giving them a 48-hour deadline to leave their respective territories.

The developments began when the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that an Egyptian diplomat was declared persona non grata, notifying the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa of the requirement for him to depart the country within 48 hours. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry clarified that the decision was made pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, without disclosing the underlying reasons or specifying any particular violation committed by the Egyptian diplomat.

In response, Cairo took a reciprocal measure, declaring a counselor at the Ethiopian Embassy in Egypt persona non grata and granting him 48 hours to leave the country. An official Egyptian source described the Ethiopian move as “unfortunate” and “unjustified.” The source stated, in remarks reported by Egypt’s official news agency, that Cairo has consistently emphasized its strict refusal to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations or comment on events occurring in other countries, including Ethiopia. He stressed that this stance is rooted in respect for international law and the UN Charter.

The Egyptian source directed sharp criticism toward the Ethiopian government, arguing that it is attempting to blame external parties for its domestic crises. He noted that the Ethiopian side regularly attributes its failure in managing successive internal files and crises to alleged interference by external actors, in an effort to cover up its recurring domestic troubles.

The exchange of diplomatic sanctions between Cairo and Addis Ababa coincided with another regional escalation between Ethiopia and Eritrea. On the same day, Addis Ababa announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara and the expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats, accusing them of engaging in activities that the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry claimed posed a “direct threat to national security,” granting them 48 hours to depart. In response, Asmara announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Addis Ababa, reflecting a broadening scope of tension between the two neighboring nations.