Egypt declared a counsellor at the Ethiopian Embassy in Cairo as persona non grata, Latin for ‘unwelcome person,’ and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours on Thursday, 1 October, in response to Ethiopia’s expulsion of an Egyptian diplomat.

An informed Egyptian source described Ethiopia’s decision as “unfortunate and unjustified,” according to Ahram Online. The source said Egypt’s decision was taken on the principle of reciprocity.

The source reiterated Egypt’s rejection of interference in other countries’ internal affairs, saying Cairo had refrained from commenting on domestic developments in Ethiopia in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

The ministry said the measure was taken under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations but did not provide a reason for the decision.

The reciprocal expulsions follow a recent dispute over accusations of foreign involvement in renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Berhanu Jula accused Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government. Egypt rejected the allegation, reiterating its commitment to respecting other states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have also persisted for years over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Egypt has pushed for a legally binding agreement governing the dam’s operation, while Ethiopia views the hydropower project as central to its economic development and efforts to expand electricity access.

On Friday, 2 October, the African Union called on Egypt, Ethiopia, and Eritrea to exercise restraint and avoid actions or rhetoric that could further escalate regional tensions, urging the countries to resolve their differences through dialogue.