- To push resolution of the crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United States has announced restrictions on economic and security assistance.
- Visas will also not be issued to those thought responsible for the crisis.
- US visa restrictions will be applicable for Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of contributing to the six-month-old war in Tigray.
To push resolution of the crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United States has announced restrictions on economic and security assistance.US Visas will also not be issued to those thought responsible for the crisis. US visa restrictions will be applicable for Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of contributing to the six-month-old war in Tigray
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked that the time has come for action from the international community . Blinken stated that the visa restrictions will affect current or former Ethiopian or Eritrean government officials, members of the security forces, or other individuals — to include Amhara regional and irregular forces and members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) .These people have been held responsible for the crisis in Tigray which cost thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee from their homes in the Tigray region since November.
The TPLF, which was once the country’s dominant party split from Ethiopia’s now-ruling coalition on the issue of postponing of national elections. It had consistently carried out an extended war with neighboring Eritrea. The conflict started when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali sent troops into the Tigray region, to crush the rebelling TPLF which in turn led to the TPLF launch an attack on the Ethiopian army in November 2020.
Abiy has since been alleged of teaming up with Eritrean forces to pursue the now-fugitive leaders of the TPLF. Troops from both the Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces have been accused of war crimes against the civilian population in the border region. The UN and the US have been pushing for the withdrawal of troops from the region. Though both Ethiopia and Eritrea have announced the withdrawal of troops, it has not taken place still.
