Egyptian–Ethiopian relations entered a new phase of tension on Thursday after Cairo and Addis Ababa mutually declared diplomats from both countries persona non grata, giving them a 48-hour deadline to leave their respective territories.
The developments began when the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that an Egyptian diplomat was declared persona non grata, notifying the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa of the requirement for him to depart the country within 48 hours.
The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry clarified that the decision was made pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, without disclosing the underlying reasons or specifying any particular violation committed by the Egyptian diplomat. In response, Cairo took a reciprocal measure, declaring a counselor at the Ethiopian Embassy in Egypt persona non grata and granting him 48 hours to leave the country. An official Egyptian source described the Ethiopian move as “unfortunate” and “unjustified.”
The source stated, in remarks reported by Egypt’s official news agency, that Cairo has consistently emphasized its strict refusal to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations or comment on events occurring in other countries, including Ethiopia. He stressed that this stance is rooted in respect for international law and the UN Charter.
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