US Lifts Ethiopia-Related National Emergency Sanctions Framework After Five Years

The United States has allowed the national emergency framework underpinning Ethiopia-related sanctions—enacted at the height of the northern Tigray conflict five years ago—to officially expire.

According to an announcement issued by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Executive Order 14046, originally signed on September 17, 2021, reached its terminal date. Consequently, a series of Eritrean entities and individuals have been removed from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list.

The initial executive order, signed by President Joe Biden, targeted individuals and entities deemed responsible for or complicit in prolonging the humanitarian and human rights crisis in northern Ethiopia. Citing persistent instability and ongoing human rights concerns in Washington, the emergency declaration had previously been extended for an additional year in September 2025, setting the final expiration for September 17, 2026.

As a result of the mandate lapsing, OFAC removed several high-profile institutions and individuals from its restrictive registry. Notable entities delisted include the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)—Eritrea’s ruling party established in 1993—the Eritrean Defense Forces, the Red Sea Trading Corporation, and Hidri Trust. Additionally, three Eritrean nationals—Hagos Gebrehiwot Woldekidan, Abraha Kassa Nemariam, and an alternate listing—were removed under various spellings.

Analysts emphasize that the delisting reflects the legal expiration of Executive Order 14046 rather than a sweeping, fundamental shift in U.S. bilateral policy toward Asmara. The removal strictly applies to designations tied to this specific program.

Entities designated under separate sanctions authorities or those caught by the 50 Percent Rule remain fully blocked. However, observers note the development could signal a subtle recalibration in diplomatic posture regarding the strategic Red Sea shipping corridor.

The sunset of the emergency order coincides with broader administrative adjustments in Washington’s Horn of Africa policy. In May 2026, the State Department concluded a restrictive policy that had blocked defense article sales to Ethiopian security forces since 2021, transitioning instead to a case-by-case licensing review. Official proposals to formally remove Ethiopia from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restricted destinations list were advanced in September 2026, while the Department of Homeland Security terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Ethiopia effective August 18, 2026.

In a separate regulatory update, OFAC issued Russia-related General License 131J. The updated license extends authorization for transactions involving Lukoil International GmbH through October 22, 2026, enabling the company to negotiate sales and execute closing contracts. Treasury officials clarified that the license does not authorize final sales transactions, which will require distinct, subsequent OFAC approval.