US lifts Eritrea sanctions citing Red Sea regional interests

Washington announced a new round of sanctions against Eritrea on Thursday, marking the latest use of economic pressure by the Biden administration to address regional security concerns. The measures specifically target the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, the country’s governing party, as well as senior officials of the Eritrean Defence Forces, freezing any U.S.-based assets and prohibiting American individuals and entities from conducting transactions with the designated parties.

The sanctions were issued in response to allegations that Eritrean officials have been involved in human‑rights violations and in the destabilisation of neighbouring states, including alleged participation in the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the actions are intended to compel Eritrea to cease activities that threaten peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Eritrean authorities have denied the accusations and pledged to contest the measures, while U.S. officials indicated that the restrictions will remain in place pending compliance with international norms.