Clashes and expulsion of diplomats... Details of the reasons for Addis Ababa’s escalation against Cairo

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The diplomatic crisis between Cairo and Addis Ababa escalated rapidly following the sudden Ethiopian decision to declare a member of the Egyptian embassy “persona non grata” and ask him to leave, to which Egypt immediately responded by implementing the principle of reciprocity and expelling the advisor to the Ethiopian embassy in Cairo.

This rapid escalation casts a shadow over the already tense relations between the two countries, and further complicates the complex scene in the Horn of Africa and the Nile Basin region.

In light of this escalating tension, attention is turning to the real motives and goals that called on the Ethiopian government to take this uncalculated step against the Egyptian diplomatic mission, as Egyptian experts, politicians and legal experts read the scene as a tool to export Ethiopian internal crises inside and outside the country, warning at the same time of the danger of undermining the remaining channels of communication between two major countries.

In this context, Dr. Haitham Omran, professor of political science and international law at Suez University, said in exclusive statements to Al Arabiya.net and Al Hadath.net that the decision of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to declare an Egyptian diplomat persona non grata reflects the depth of tension and sensitive moments that relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa are going through, adding that, despite the fact that Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 grants the host state an absolute sovereign right to take... Such a measure does not need to be justified, but the timing and speed of the decision give political implications that go beyond the usual procedural frameworks, putting the most important channel of communication between the two countries under additional pressure.”

Omran added, “From a geopolitical standpoint, this development is read in the context of the intertwined dispute issues and the heated regional competition in the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa,” considering that Addis Ababa’s resort to this step is a tense political message that increases the complexity of the paths of calm.

He continued, "The provisions of international law guaranteed Egypt gradual options that began with the procedural obligation to end the duties of the diplomat in question, and it immediately relied on its inherent right to the principle of reciprocity to deport an Ethiopian diplomat to the same degree, leading to advanced options such as summoning the ambassador for consultation or reducing the level of diplomatic representation."

The professor of international law pointed out that “in the end, maintaining the minimum channels of diplomatic communication remains an indispensable strategic necessity for the security and stability of the region,” explaining that closing dialogue windows or restricting missions will not serve to resolve thorny issues, but rather create an environment of mutual suspicion, which requires resorting to the tools of calm diplomacy and prioritizing common vital interests, with Cairo’s careful commitment to rational paths that preserve the state’s dignity and sovereignty and prevent diplomatic channels from slipping to the point of No return.

For his part, Ambassador Salah Halima, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister, confirmed to Al Arabiya.net and Al-Hadath.net that Ethiopia has taken a step in a completely wrong direction, explaining that the security and political developments that Ethiopia is currently witnessing are linked to its internal situation.

Halima cited the statement issued by the coalition of seven armed political forces in Ethiopia, noting that it defined its goals in a way that does not lend itself to interpretation, “which confirms the absence of any external interference or support, as the federal government in Addis Ababa did not provide any evidence proving the involvement of any foreign party.”

The former Assistant Foreign Minister continued, saying: “It seems that Addis Ababa resorted to this step as a peg to justify its crises and policies, which were met with widespread rejection by those national forces, whose demands reached the point of overthrowing the federal system itself.”

Halima concluded his statements by saying: “Although one of the established principles in Egypt’s foreign policy is non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and the preservation of their unity and territorial integrity, the decisive Egyptian response came as a major and rapid measure in accordance with the principle of reciprocity,” expressing his hope that Ethiopia will realize that its relations with neighboring countries must be built on respect for international conventions and laws, and not move towards escalation based on flimsy and unfounded allegations.