Reports that Eritrea has closed its embassy in Ethiopia have been denied by a senior Eritrean diplomat, adding a layer of uncertainty to escalating tensions between the two countries. The initial report, published on Thursday by Borkena.com, cited unnamed embassy sources as saying the closure had occurred, raising fears of renewed conflict between the Horn of Africa neighbours.
However, Biniam Berhe, Chargé d’affaires en pied at the Eritrean Embassy to Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the AU & UNECA, stated on his X account that the news was “not true”.
Borkena.com had reported that Eritrean embassy staff in Addis Ababa had been recalled, with only the country’s representative to the African Union remaining operational. Neither Eritrea’s Ministry of Information nor Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have commented officially on the reported closure or its denial. Ethiopia maintains an embassy in Asmara but has yet to appoint an ambassador.
The diplomatic uncertainty follows a series of mutual accusations. Last week, Eritrean Minister of Information Yemane Gebreab accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government of “externalizing its internal problems” and “warmongering.” His remarks came in response to an opinion article by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, published on Al Jazeera, which accused Eritrea of collaborating with Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) factions and fueling instability.
Tensions have escalated since the signing of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which ended the two-year war between Ethiopia’s federal forces and Tigrayan fighters. Eritrea, which supported Ethiopian forces during the conflict, has denied that its strained ties with Ethiopia are linked to the peace deal.
Borkena also reported that Eritrea has launched a nationwide mobilization of men up to the age of 60, citing unverified sources. Ethiopian officials have not responded to the claim, but Prime Minister Abiy reportedly urged military leaders to “be ready” during a meeting last week, according to local media.
Relations between the two countries had improved after Abiy took office in 2018, ending a two-decade state of conflict and earning him the Nobel Peace Prize. Flights between the capitals resumed, borders reopened, and families were reunited. However, those gains have eroded. Ethiopian Airlines has since suspended flights to Asmara, and cross-border communications have been cut.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of arming the Fano militia in the Amhara region and conspiring with anti-government groups, charges Eritrea denies. Meanwhile, Eritrean opposition factions, operating under names like Brigade Nhamedu, are reportedly receiving backing from Ethiopia, further complicating the regional dynamic.
Analysts warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize the region, but some Eritrean government supporters believe Ethiopia cannot engage militarily.
