Labour’s Africa minister Kirsty McNeill has confirmed Britain’s support for African Union-led efforts to reduce tensions in the Horn of Africa and resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue.
McNeill: ‘de-escalation, dialogue and a peaceful resolution’
The minister responsible for international development and Africa said the UK was closely following concerning developments in the region, sharing an African Union Commission statement calling for restraint between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt.
“We fully support AU-led efforts towards de-escalation, dialogue and a peaceful resolution of differences,” McNeill said.
The Commission’s statement, dated 1 October, urged all three countries to avoid actions or statements that could worsen tensions and undermine regional peace and stability.
It also called for diplomatic channels to remain open and said it was ready, in consultation with the countries concerned, to support efforts to resolve their differences peacefully.
Behind the tensions
The appeal followed a deterioration in diplomatic relations. Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Eritrea and expelled Eritrean diplomats, prompting Eritrea to announce that it was severing diplomatic ties. Ethiopia and Egypt also expelled diplomats.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan of supporting an opposition alliance involved in renewed fighting against federal forces. The three countries deny those allegations.
In a clarification published on 4 October, the African Union Commission stressed that its earlier statement was not intended to attribute responsibility for developments to any neighbouring country.
It said the appeal followed diplomatic expulsions from the three capitals and reaffirmed its commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference and political solutions.
McNeill’s intervention expresses British support for that diplomatic approach. It does not announce a new aid package or a separate UK mediation initiative.
The Labour and Co-operative MP for Midlothian’s message places dialogue and support for African-led diplomacy at the centre of Britain’s response.
