Ethiopia Closes Its Embassy in Asmara

Addis Ababa, October 1, 2026 — The diplomatic tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea has reached a new level, after the Ethiopian government announced that it would close its embassy located in the Eritrean capital of Asmara.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that 10 Eritrean diplomats have been declared persona non grata, and ordered to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.

Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea of "acts of aggression and hostility" against Ethiopia.

This move comes at a time when the fighting in northern Ethiopia is intensifying, particularly in Tigray, where the Ethiopian government has previously accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups fighting against the federal government. Eritrea has denied these accusations.

The tension between the two countries has been escalating in recent times. In February, Ethiopia accused Eritrea of occupying Ethiopian territory and supporting armed groups, demanding that Eritrean forces withdraw from that land.

On the other hand, internal conflicts in Ethiopia are spreading, with a coalition of seven armed groups announcing a goal to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.

The Ethiopian government has stated that Eritrea plays a role in supporting these groups, but Asmara has consistently denied these allegations.

The closure of the Ethiopian embassy in Asmara and the expulsion of Eritrean diplomats indicate a significant decline in the relationship between the two countries, as the security situation in northern Ethiopia remains tense. The Ethiopian government is currently facing internal conflicts and diplomatic disputes with neighboring countries.