Ref. No. RSADO-174/2026

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 

RSADO Condemn Eritrea’s Destabilizing Activities and Support Ethiopia’s Expulsion of Eritrean Diplomats

The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO) strongly condemns the continued interreference of the Eritrean regime in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia, and express its full support for the sovereign decision of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to expel Eritrean diplomatic personnel who engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. 

For decades, the regime in Asmara has pursued a regional strategy involving political manipulation, intelligence operations, proxy relationships, military intervention, and the exploitation of political divisions within sovereignty of neighboring states. Such conduct has repeatedly undermined regional peace and security, destabilized neighboring countries, and violated the fundamental principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interreference.

RSADO is deeply concerned by the Eritrean regime’s direct and indirect efforts to exploit political divisions and support forces and alliances that could destabilize neighboring states. The recently established alliance involving local insurgent actors from neighboring states has been facilitated and supported by the Eritrean regime. RSADO has credible evidence indicating the involvement of Eritreanmilitary personnel in recent attacks carried out in the Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia.

These activities form part of a broader Eritrean strategy aimed at turning neighboring territories into strategic buffer zones. Such a strategy cannot provide lasting security for Eritrea and instead risks deepening the suffering of the Eritrean people while further isolating them from their neighboring peoples, with whom they share a common history, destiny, and regional interests. The Red Sea Afar people of the Danakil region are also paying a heavy price as a result of the Eritrean regimes destabilizing policies and activities. 

RSADO is further deeply concerned by the systematic use of Eritreandiplomatic missions abroad as instruments of political surveillance, intimidation, and transnational repression. Eritrean diplomatic representatives have used diplomatic platforms and facilities to pursue political opponents, including RSADO members and supporters; monitor Eritrean refugees; intimidate member of opposition organizations; and facilitate the external subversive activities of the Eritrean regime. 

 

Diplomatic immunity is not immunity for subversive conduct, and diplomatic status cannot be used as a shield for activities that undermine the sovereignty, security, or political stability of another state. Such conduct is contrary to the principles of good-neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence that should govern relations among states in the Horn of Africa. 

In this regard, RSADO expresses its full support for the decision of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, announced on October 1, 2026, to declare ten Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa, including the Chargé d’Affaires and diplomats accredited to the African Union, persona non grata. RSADO considers this decision a legitimateexercise of Ethiopia’s sovereign authority to protect its national security and territorial integrity and to prevent foreign diplomatic personnel from engaging in activities incompatible with their diplomatic functions, consistent with the principles enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1991. 

At the same time, RSADO emphasizes that its condemnation is directed at the policies and actions of the Eritrean regime and its ruling political structure, not at the Eritrean people. Eritreans and Ethiopians are neighboring peoples with longstanding historical, social, cultural, and economic ties. The Red Sea Afar people have an especially direct and vital interest in peaceful, constructive, and mutually beneficial relations across the Red Sea and throughout the wider Horn of Africa.

RSADO therefore call upon the Government of Eritrea to:

• immediately cease interference in the internal affairs of Ethiopia and other neighboring states;

• end support for political or armed actors whose activities threaten regional peace and stability;

• respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of neighboring countries;

• refrain from using Eritrean diplomatic missions as instruments of destabilization;

• respect the fundamental rights and political aspirations of the Eritrean people; and

• respect the fundamental rights, freedoms, and legitimate political aspirations of the Eritrean people; and 

• pursue peaceful, transparent, and constructive relations with Ethiopia and the countries of the Horn of Africa.

RSADO further calls upon the international community, the African Union, and regional partners to closely monitor Eritrea’s external activities and to ensure that diplomatic engagement with the Eritrean government does not come at the expense of the rights and security of Eritrean people, or the peace, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of neighboring states.

The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO)

October 4, 2026