Egypt and Ethiopia expel diplomats in reciprocal move

Egypt and Ethiopia have each ordered a diplomat from the other country to leave within 48 hours, in a reciprocal diplomatic move on Thursday and Friday.

Ethiopia declared an Egyptian diplomat persona non grata and ordered him to leave, without giving a reason, while Egypt responded by declaring an Ethiopian Embassy counsellor in Cairo persona non grata and giving him 48 hours to leave, according to Egypt’s state-owned Al Ahram.

An informed Egyptian source described Ethiopia’s move as “unfortunate and unjustified” and said Egypt acted in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

The expulsions come amid strained relations between the two countries, particularly over Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Egypt, which relies heavily on the river for its water supply, has called for a legally binding agreement on the dam’s operation, while Ethiopia says the project is vital for its development and electricity generation.

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