The African Union Commission has clarified that its recent statement on rising tensions involving Ethiopia, Egypt and Eritrea was not intended to blame Egypt or any other neighbouring country for developments taking place inside Ethiopia.
The clarification came on Sunday following objections raised by Cairo over an earlier statement issued by the African Union Commission on October 1. The commission said it had taken note of Egypt’s concerns and sought to make its position clear, emphasizing that its intervention was aimed at preventing further tensions in the region rather than assigning responsibility for events within Ethiopia.
In its clarification, the African Union Commission stated that, “under no circumstances” was its October 1 statement intended to attribute responsibility for developments in Ethiopia to any neighbouring state.
The commission explained that its original appeal followed the expulsion of diplomats from Addis Ababa, Cairo and Asmara. According to the continental body, the call for restraint was made out of concern that the diplomatic developments could lead to misunderstanding, escalation or a broader deterioration of relations capable of threatening peace and stability in the region.
The African Union Commission had urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint, maintain open channels of communication and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
The organisation said the appeal was consistent with its broader mandate of promoting peace, security and stability across Africa.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of all African Union member states. The commission stressed that the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states remains an important part of the African Union’s institutional framework.
According to the commission, its public statements on matters involving member states are guided by its responsibility to promote peace and stability and should not be interpreted as attempts to comment on or interfere in domestic political developments.
The clarification followed a strong reaction from Egypt on Saturday. An Egyptian official source reportedly described the African Union Commission’s earlier statement as an “incomprehensible attempt” to involve Cairo in what it considered an internal Ethiopian matter.
Egypt’s objection appeared to centre on the interpretation of the African Union’s call for restraint, particularly the inclusion of Egypt alongside Ethiopia and Eritrea. Cairo maintained that the issue referenced by the commission was essentially an internal Ethiopian matter and rejected any suggestion that Egypt should be held responsible for developments inside Ethiopia.
In response, the African Union Commission sought to remove any ambiguity surrounding its position, emphasizing that its intervention was motivated by the need to prevent regional tensions from escalating.
The commission further highlighted the importance it attaches to its relationship with Egypt, describing the country as a founding member of the African Union and a key partner in efforts to advance peace, security, continental integration and development.
The statement underscored the importance of Egypt’s role within the African Union and indicated that the continental organisation does not seek to create unnecessary friction with Cairo.
The diplomatic clarification comes against the backdrop of sensitive relations among countries in the Horn of Africa and North-East Africa, where political and security developments can have wider regional consequences. Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt have important strategic interests in the region, making diplomatic engagement particularly significant in preventing disagreements from developing into broader confrontations.
By reiterating its commitment to sovereignty and non-interference, the African Union Commission appeared determined to distinguish its peace and security responsibilities from interference in the domestic affairs of member states.
The commission maintained that its principal objective was to encourage dialogue, preserve communication channels and prevent actions that could further heighten tensions.
Its latest statement therefore seeks to reassure Egypt while maintaining the African Union’s broader call for restraint and diplomacy among the countries involved.
The development highlights the delicate diplomatic balance facing the African Union as it attempts to respond to regional tensions while respecting the sovereignty of its member states. The commission’s clarification also signals the importance it places on maintaining constructive relations with Egypt, while continuing to encourage peaceful dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes across the continent.
