Ethiopia Sanctions Enforcement Takes Effect Amid Humanitarian Crisis

In a significant move to address the worsening humanitarian and human rights crisis in Ethiopia, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued new regulations to enforce financial sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights abuses and other atrocities.

Background

The Ethiopia Sanctions Regulations were published in the Federal Register on February 9, 2022, and take effect immediately. The new regulations were implemented in accordance with Executive Order 14046, signed by President Joe Biden in September 2021.

Key Provisions

• The sanctions target individuals who have contributed to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, including government officials, military leaders, and other actors responsible for human rights violations.
• Under the sanctions regime, these individuals will be subject to:
  • Asset freezes
  • Visa restrictions
  • Effective cutting off from international financial networks
• OFAC is also adjusting its civil penalty structure to reflect inflationary pressures.

Impact

The move is seen as a significant step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, which has left millions of people displaced, injured, or dead. Human rights groups have long called for international action to hold accountable those responsible for the violence and atrocities committed during the conflict.

• The new regulations are expected to send a strong message to perpetrators that their actions will not go unpunished.
• The sanctions may also help to promote accountability and end violence in the region.

Next Steps

As the sanctions take effect, OFAC has indicated plans to release additional guidance and regulatory provisions to clarify the scope of the sanctions regime. This includes: + Issuing general licenses to exempt certain activities or transactions from the sanctions + Providing more detailed information on the entities and individuals targeted by the sanctions

International Response

The international community is closely watching developments in Ethiopia, where a fragile peace process has been underway since November 2021. While there are concerns that the sanctions may exacerbate the humanitarian situation, many experts believe that targeted financial pressure can be an effective tool for promoting accountability and ending violence.

Overall, the enforcement of these sanctions marks a significant step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia and holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and other atrocities.