The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expelled Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman, a diplomat from the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa, ordering him to leave the country within 48 hours.
This decision was conveyed in a diplomatic note issued by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 1, 2026, and formally sent to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa.
In the note, the Ministry stated that the measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and informed the Egyptian Embassy of Soliman’s expulsion.
The Ministry also stated that it expects the diplomat to depart the country within 48 hours of the notification being delivered to the Egyptian Embassy.
The Ethiopian note did not specify Soliman’s diplomatic role or rank at the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa, nor did it disclose the official reason for his expulsion or any specific action that prompted the move. The expulsion of this diplomat comes at a time when relations between Ethiopia and Egypt have been sensitive, particularly due to the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its impact on the waters of the Nile River.
The two countries also hold differing views on security issues and the situation in the Horn of Africa, with the dam dispute remaining a major factor affecting relations between Addis Ababa and Cairo. However, the situation deteriorated further after Addis Ababa accused Cairo of involvement in the conflict in the Tigray region.
