# AU Urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to Show Restraint > African Union calls for restraint as Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt escalate diplomatic tensions. - Title: AU Urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to Show Restraint - Summary: African Union calls for restraint as Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt escalate diplomatic tensions. The African Union urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to show… - Keywords: african union, ethiopia, eritrea, egypt, red sea, grand ethical renaissance dam, tigray people's liberation front, alamein summit, news, world, politics, Urges - Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/au-calls-restraint-ethiopia-eritrea-egypt-tensions-2026 - Author: Samuel Ncube - Published: 2026-10-03T22:00:16+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: african union, ethiopia, eritrea, egypt, red sea, grand ethical renaissance dam, tigray people's liberation front, alamein summit, news, world, politics ## AU calls for restraint The African Union Commission urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt on 1 October 2026 to show maximum restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions. > The African Union Commission urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt on 1 October 2026 to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate tensions. ## Diplomatic break Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats on 1 October 2026, prompting Eritrea to sever diplomatic ties. > Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, giving them 48 hours to leave. ## Egyptian pushback Egypt questioned the AU statement, claiming it drew Egypt into an internal Ethiopian crisis and that Ethiopian statements aim to divert attention from domestic issues. > An Egyptian source said the AU statement drew Egypt into an internal Ethiopian crisis. ## Alamein summit Egypt hosted a consultative summit with Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia on Sunday 4 October 2026 to discuss regional security concerns. > President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki separately at the Alamein Africa Business Forum. ## Red Sea access dispute Ethiopia seeks direct sea access for its landlocked territory after losing its coastline when Eritrea became independent in 1993. > Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea became independent in 1993. ## Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September 2025 with a capacity of 5,150 megawatts and a cost of about US$5 billion. > Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September 2025. ## Tigray conflict Ethiopian forces retake Mekelle airport on 3 October 2026, leading to accusations of external interference from Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan. > Ethiopian forces took back Mekelle airport on 3 October, and government and allied forces then took the city. ## US policy shift The US lifted sanctions on Eritrea on 19 September 2026, citing regional interests and Red Sea shipping security. > The US announced on 19 September that it had let the 2021 sanctions on Eritrea lapse. ## Regional implications The diplomatic break affects Red Sea shipping routes, with Ethiopia relying on Djibouti for trade access and instability impacting regional security. > Ethiopia, with a large population and no coast, sends most of its trade through Djibouti. ## Next steps Egypt hosts a summit with Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia on Sunday 4 October 2026 to address regional security concerns and potential port access for Ethiopia. > Somalia's president says Ethiopia could use two or three Somali ports to bring in and send out goods. ## Uncertainties The AU's role in mediation remains unclear, with no confirmed mediator or timeline for resolving the diplomatic break. > We do not know whether Ethiopia, Eritrea or Egypt will accept AU help. ## Internal Ethiopian crisis Ethiopia faces internal political challenges as the newly elected House of Peoples' Representatives convenes on Monday 5 October 2026. > The newly elected House of Peoples' Representatives is due to convene on Monday 5 October to start forming the next federal government. ## Regional security concerns The Red Sea corridor's stability is critical for shipping, insurance and regional trade, with Ethiopia's landlocked status increasing vulnerability. > Any instability on that corridor affects shipping and insurance. ## US involvement Six Democratic US senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to de-escalate the crisis in Tigray on 28 September 2026. > Six Democratic US senators asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to act to de-escalate the crisis in Tigray. ## Eritrea's stance Eritrea denies accusations of arming Ethiopia's opposition forces and claims Ethiopia's actions threaten regional stability. > Eritrea rejects that Ethiopia accuses it of arming and backing the armed opposition in northern Ethiopia. ## Next phase The diplomatic break could lead to further expulsions, visa restrictions, and heightened tensions in the Red Sea region. > For travellers and expatriates, check the State Department advisory before booking, and expect further expulsions or visa friction. ## Key takeaway The African Union urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to show maximum restraint after expulsions and broken diplomatic ties, with Egypt hosting a summit to address regional security concerns.