Ethiopian ambassador said shutting its embassy in Egypt has nothing to do with Ethiopia’s long-running dispute with Egypt and Sudan over GERD.

Ethiopian Ambassador to Egypt Markos Tekle stated that the embassy in Cairo would be temporarily shuttered beginning in October.

“The embassy will be shuttered for three to six months to save money,” he added.

According to the ambassador, the decision has nothing to do with Ethiopia’s long-running conflict with Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ethiopia filled the contentious dam for the second time in July, despite Egyptian and Sudanese concerns, before the three nations signed a final agreement.

Read more about the Ethiopian conflict: Joe Biden issues an order authorizing sanctions.

Ireland’s situation
For similar reasons, the Horn of Africa country is shutting its embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, and moving its duties to the country’s mission in London.

In recent months, relations between Ethiopia and Ireland have been strained.

The Irish government has been in the forefront of urging the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Ethiopia in connection with the Tigray conflict.

Following that, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration has slammed what it calls foreign “intervention” in its domestic affairs.

“The government regrets the Ethiopian authorities’ decision to shut their embassy in Ireland,” stated Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“The continuing violence in Tigray is a major worry, and Ireland has been at the forefront of bringing the situation to the attention of the UN Security Council, the European Union, and other partners.”

“We have also communicated our concerns directly to Ethiopian officials,” the agency said. In each instance, we have emphasized the need of unhindered humanitarian access, a ceasefire, and discussion leading to a political settlement of the conflict.”

Since the Tigray war erupted in November of last year, over 2 million people have been displaced, and more than 5 million need emergency food assistance as hunger spreads.

The violence in Tigray has extended to neighboring Amhara and Afar areas, increasing concerns that Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country with about 120 million people, could ultimately break apart.

More than 30 embassies
Ethiopia has stated that it will shutter around 30 of its embassies in various countries owing to the country’s economic difficulties.

Its resources are being strained, particularly as the conflict in the northern area expands.

In July, Addis Abeba acknowledged that it had suffered 2.3 billion dollars in infrastructure damage in Tigray while Ethiopian troops pursued the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a former governing party that is now designated a terrorist organization.

The new decision increases the total number of embassies scheduled to close in September to three.

Addis Abeba stated earlier this month that it has shuttered its embassy in Algiers, Algeria, as part of a cost-cutting measure for its foreign policy responsibilities.

It cited budget limitations in terminating a mission to a nation that had previously held negotiations between Eritrea and Ethiopia, resulting in a document known as the Algiers Peace Agreement, which was signed on December 12, 2000, to end the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In early July, the Horn of Africa country revealed intentions to cut the number of embassies by at least half in order to save money.

PM Abiy stated in a briefing to Ethiopian legislators on July 5 that the government would close many embassies to save expenses, with most diplomats serving as non-resident ambassadors.

“At the moment, Ethiopia should not have 60 or so embassies and consulates.” Instead of tossing US money around, at least 30 embassies should be shuttered. Instead, the ambassadors should be here,” Abiy remarked at the time.

Due to budgetary limitations exacerbated by a protracted war in the Tigray area, Ethiopia has chosen to shut its embassies in Egypt and Ireland.

Ethiopian Ambassador to Egypt Markos Tekle stated that the embassy in Cairo would be temporarily shuttered beginning in October.

“The embassy will be shuttered for three to six months to save money,” he added.

According to the ambassador, the decision has nothing to do with Ethiopia’s long-running conflict with Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ethiopia filled the contentious dam for the second time in July, despite Egyptian and Sudanese concerns, before the three nations signed a final agreement.

Read more about the Ethiopian conflict: Joe Biden issues an order authorizing sanctions.

Ireland’s situation
For similar reasons, the Horn of Africa country is shutting its embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, and moving its duties to the country’s mission in London.

In recent months, relations between Ethiopia and Ireland have been strained.

The Irish government has been in the forefront of urging the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Ethiopia in connection with the Tigray conflict.

Following that, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration has slammed what it calls foreign “intervention” in its domestic affairs.

“The government regrets the Ethiopian authorities’ decision to shut their embassy in Ireland,” stated Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“The continuing violence in Tigray is a major worry, and Ireland has been at the forefront of bringing the situation to the attention of the UN Security Council, the European Union, and other partners.”

“We have also communicated our concerns directly to Ethiopian officials,” the agency said. In each instance, we have emphasized the need of unhindered humanitarian access, a ceasefire, and discussion leading to a political settlement of the conflict.”

Since the Tigray war erupted in November of last year, over 2 million people have been displaced, and more than 5 million need emergency food assistance as hunger spreads.

The violence in Tigray has extended to neighboring Amhara and Afar areas, increasing concerns that Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country with about 120 million people, could ultimately break apart.

More than 30 embassies
Ethiopia has stated that it will shutter around 30 of its embassies in various countries owing to the country’s economic difficulties.

Its resources are being strained, particularly as the conflict in the northern area expands.

In July, Addis Abeba acknowledged that it had suffered 2.3 billion dollars in infrastructure damage in Tigray while Ethiopian troops pursued the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a former governing party that is now designated a terrorist organization.

The new decision increases the total number of embassies scheduled to close in September to three.

Addis Abeba stated earlier this month that it has shuttered its embassy in Algiers, Algeria, as part of a cost-cutting measure for its foreign policy responsibilities.

It cited budget limitations in terminating a mission to a nation that had previously held negotiations between Eritrea and Ethiopia, resulting in a document known as the Algiers Peace Agreement, which was signed on December 12, 2000, to end the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In early July, the Horn of Africa country revealed intentions to cut the number of embassies by at least half in order to save money.

PM Abiy stated in a briefing to Ethiopian legislators on July 5 that the government would close many embassies to save expenses, with most diplomats serving as non-resident ambassadors.

“At the moment, Ethiopia should not have 60 or so embassies and consulates.” Instead of tossing US money around, at least 30 embassies should be shuttered. Instead, the ambassadors should be here,” Abiy remarked at the time.

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