US lifts sanctions targeting Eritrea's ruling party and the military

The United States lifted sanctions against Eritrea's ruling party and military that had been imposed by the Biden administration in 2021 due to humanitarian concerns during the Tigray conflict. The sanctions, which targeted Eritrean individuals like financial official Hagos Ghebrehiwet and state-owned entities such as the Red Sea Trading Corporation, were removed following a peace accord signed in November 2022 between Ethiopia and Tigray forces.

This decision comes amid growing security concerns in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where recent advances by Houthi rebels in Yemen have increased risks to shipping. The lifting of sanctions also aligns with US interests in the Red Sea region, which has become crucial for oil shipments following blockages at the Strait of Hormuz.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel welcomed the move, stating that the sanctions were unwarranted and had caused significant damage to his country. The Biden administration's decision reflects evolving diplomatic priorities in the Horn of Africa, as tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea persist over issues like territorial access and regional influence.