The government of Ethiopia has announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said on Thursday that the decision was made “in a response to Eritrea’s direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia.”
The Ethiopian government also accused 10 Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital, of being involved in activities that pose a direct threat to Ethiopia’s national security in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The ministry said that the 10 Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa are required to leave the country within 48 hours.
The Ethiopian government further urged the Eritrean government “to cease all acts that are contrary to the principles governing relations between sovereign states.”
The ministry, however, said that Ethiopia values its strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Eritrea and has consistently prioritized peaceful coexistence, regional stability and integration.
“Ethiopia remains committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to working with all countries in the Horn of Africa to advance lasting peace, security, and regional integration,” it said.
MG/abj/APA