Story perspectives

Ethiopia Expels Eritrean Diplomats as Eritrea Severs Ties

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 6:27 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ethiopia Expels Diplomats

Ethiopia closed Eritrea’s embassy in Addis Ababa, expelled ten diplomats on October 1, and Asmara severed ties.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh asked the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia’s war and impose Chapter VII measures.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos told the Council Eritrean troops moved 60 km into Tigray, citing Article 51 self-defence.
Ethiopian forces entered Adigrat, 30 km from the Eritrean border, and struck Eritrean positions with drones.

Summary

Fletcher Urges Access

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged immediate safe access for aid workers to reach displaced populations.
UN teams continue delivering food, healthcare and life-saving assistance where corridors remain open.
Displacement persists across central, northwestern and eastern Tigray, though verified figures are unavailable.
The government-led return programme from Kobo in Amhara was suspended after security deteriorated.

History

Historical Context

The Eritrean–Ethiopian War began in May 1998 over a disputed border and ended with the Algiers Agreement on 12 December 2000. The deal created a UN-monitored 25-km Temporary Security Zone staffed by personnel from over 60 countries, yet Ethiopia rejected the 2002 EEBC ruling that awarded Badme to Eritrea. Renewed expulsions and clashes in 2024 revive the same border deadlock.

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Ethiopia Expels Diplomats

Ethiopia closed Eritrea’s embassy in Addis Ababa, expelled ten diplomats on October 1, and Asmara severed ties.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh asked the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia’s war and impose Chapter VII measures.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos told the Council Eritrean troops moved 60 km into Tigray, citing Article 51 self-defence.
Ethiopian forces entered Adigrat, 30 km from the Eritrean border, and struck Eritrean positions with drones.

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