Eritrea’s Role in Ethiopia Humanitarian Crisis Sparks US Sanctions

Washington D.C Imposes Sanctions on Eritrean Entities and Individuals

The United States has imposed sanctions on four Eritrean entities and two individuals in response to the country’s alleged role in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

Targets of the Sanctions

• Eritrean Defense Force (EDF): The EDF is a primary target of the sanctions, accused of perpetrating human rights abuses and obstructing humanitarian aid in Ethiopia.
• People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) party: Led by President Isaias Afwerki, the PFDJ is a ruling party in Eritrea that has been linked to the country’s involvement in the Ethiopian crisis.
• Other entities linked to the PFDJ: Three additional entities with ties to the PFDJ have also been targeted by the sanctions.
• Individuals sanctioned:
  • Abraha Kassa Nemariam: A senior official in the Eritrean National Security Office.
  • Hagos Ghebrehiwet W Kidan: An economic advisor to the PFDJ.

Consequences of the Sanctions

The sanctions impose strict restrictions on the targeted entities and individuals, including:

• Freezing assets: The US has frozen the assets of those targeted by the sanctions, making it difficult for them to access financial resources.
• Prohibiting business dealings: US citizens are prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned entities and individuals.

Reaction to the Sanctions

The sanctions have been welcomed by human rights groups and governments who have called for increased pressure on Eritrea to withdraw from Ethiopia. However, others have expressed concerns that the sanctions may harm innocent civilians in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Next Steps

The international community remains divided on how to address the crisis, with the US sanctions seen as a crucial step towards holding Eritrea accountable for its actions. The effectiveness of these sanctions will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and months.