Eritrea Severs Diplomatic Ties With Ethiopia as Regional Tensions Escalate
Eritrea announced on October 1 that it was severing diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, after Addis Ababa closed its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave within 48 hours. Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
Statements from both governments confirmed the diplomatic measures, which Reuters and the Associated Press reported separately.
Ethiopia accused Eritrea of hostile activities and of supporting an armed opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Eritrea denies supporting the alliance. The diplomatic measures were confirmed through statements from both governments and reported independently by Reuters and the Associated Press.
Allegations of support remained unproven
Ethiopia has not publicly released evidence supporting its claim that Eritrea is financing or assisting the armed opposition.
Explosions were also reported in Addis Ababa, but authorities have not established whether they resulted from an attack, military exercises or another cause. Claims that opposition drones struck the capital remain unverified and should not be presented as confirmed.
Renewed fighting involving Ethiopian federal forces and a TPLF-led opposition alliance has also been confirmed. The United Nations has called for de-escalation and dialogue.
From the 2018 rapprochement to renewed tension
Ethiopia and Eritrea were adversaries during a border war between 1998 and 2000, but restored relations in 2018. Eritrean forces later supported Ethiopia’s government during the Tigray war.
The reopened embassies had been part of the 2018 rapprochement between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
Their relationship subsequently deteriorated amid disputes over the 2022 peace agreement, Ethiopia’s interest in access to the Red Sea and allegations of Eritrean involvement in northern Ethiopia.
The diplomatic rupture removes an important channel for crisis management while fighting continues near Eritrea’s border. Any direct involvement by Eritrea could transform Ethiopia’s renewed internal conflict into a broader regional confrontation affecting the Horn of Africa and Red Sea security.
SOURCES
Reuters — “Eritrea says it is severing all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia” — October 1, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/eritrea-says-it-is-severing-all-diplomatic-ties-with-ethiopia-2026-10-01/
Associated Press — “Ethiopia closes embassy in Eritrea, expels diplomats as tensions escalate” — October 1, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-blasts-tigray-war-a864e8cd442bade4531b8e7609f3216c
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