The African Union Commission moved Sunday to clarify that its earlier appeal over tensions involving Ethiopia was not meant to assign blame to Egypt or any other neighboring country, after Cairo formally objected to the statement.
The commission said it had noted Egypt’s concerns regarding its Oct. 1 statement, which called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to show maximum restraint, maintain open lines of communication and settle their differences through diplomatic means.
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“Under no circumstances” was the statement intended to hold any neighboring state responsible for developments inside Ethiopia, the commission said.
The appeal came after diplomats were expelled from Addis Ababa, Cairo and Asmara, the commission said. Its purpose was to prevent misunderstandings, escalation and a broader deterioration in tensions that could endanger regional stability.
The commission also reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of African Union member states, along with the bloc’s principle of non-interference in countries’ internal affairs.
It emphasized that its public statements are confined to its mandate of advancing peace, security and stability across Africa, and are not intended to address domestic developments within member states.
Egypt rejected the commission’s statement on Saturday, with an official source calling it an “incomprehensible attempt” to involve Cairo in an internal Ethiopian matter.
The African Union Commission said it places particular value on its ties with Egypt, identifying the country as a founding member of the bloc and an important partner in efforts to promote peace, security, integration and development across Africa.
