Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed raises his hand during an official swearing-in ceremony, as an official reads from a document. The image shows a formal government proceeding in Ethiopia. Photo: The Eastleigh Voice

NNA News - Eritrea has asked the African Union (AU) to intervene after Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, including officials accredited to the continental organisation, in a dispute that has further strained relations between the neighbouring countries.

In a letter released on Thursday, Eritrea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the AU to take “immediate corrective measures” to restore the country's representation and ensure it can participate fully in the organisation's activities.

The ministry said the expulsions had affected Eritrea's representation at the AU Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The diplomatic dispute began in October, when Ethiopia announced that it would close its embassy in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa persona non grata, ordering them to leave within 48 hours.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was taken in response to what it described as Eritrea's “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia”. It also accused the diplomats of activities posing a threat to national security and violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Eritrea rejected Ethiopia's actions and subsequently announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with its neighbour.

In its latest letter, Eritrea argued that the expulsions had deprived it of the ability to exercise its membership rights through its accredited representatives. The ministry said the AU's status as an intergovernmental organisation founded on sovereign equality meant that a member state's rights could not be curtailed by another member.

“Eritrea urges the policy organs to take immediate corrective measures to restore Eritrea's rightful representation at the headquarters of the union and ensure its full participation in the activities of the union as a sovereign and equal member,” the letter said.

The ministry called on the AU Commission to bring the matter urgently before the organisation's Executive Council and Assembly. No response from the AU specifically addressing Eritrea's latest request was available in the official statements reviewed for this report.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions in the Horn of Africa, including renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia and mutual accusations between Addis Ababa and Asmara. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of hostile actions and interference in its internal affairs, while Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of pursuing an aggressive agenda linked to access to the Red Sea. The allegations remain contested.

The AU Commission said in October that it was concerned about heightened tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt and urged the countries to avoid actions that could undermine regional stability.

The commission called on the three states to “exercise maximum restraint” and urged them to preserve communication channels and address their differences through diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogue.

The AU has a central role in promoting cooperation and resolving disputes among its member states. Eritrea's appeal now places the question of its representation before the organisation as diplomatic relations between the two neighbours remain severed.