US lifts Eritrea sanctions imposed over Ethiopian war to advance ‘regional interests’
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 — The US yesterday lifted sanctions on Eritrea imposed in 2021 over the deadly conflict in nei...
On September 19, the United States lifted sanctions imposed on Eritrea in 2021, as Washington aims to advance its regional interests in the Horn of Africa nation. The sanctions, originally targeted at Eritrean Defence Force and President Isaias Afwerki's political party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, were lifted as the national emergency declaration expired.
The sanctions were imposed following accusations of atrocities committed by Eritrean troops during the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, which ended in late 2022 with a peace deal between Addis Ababa and Tigray rebels. The war claimed over 600,000 lives and triggered a major humanitarian crisis, with several hundred thousand people still displaced.
The decision to lift the sanctions was made by the US Treasury and explained by the State Department, which said that President Trump had chosen not to renew the measures targeting Eritrea "to advance US regional interests." The conflict's impact on Eritrea's strategic location along the Red Sea, which is crucial for oil shipping, was noted by the department.
While the parties involved in the peace deal have had uneven implementation, the US believes it is time to adapt its foreign policy to current realities and engage collaboratively with both Eritrea and Ethiopia to advance US interests. However, recent tensions in Tigray have raised concerns about a potential return to armed conflict.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
