The US State Department has announced targeted visa restrictions against “hardline members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)” and their immediate family members, citing their alleged role in undermining peace efforts and threatening stability in northern Ethiopia.
In a statement released today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the visa restrictions are being imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and will apply to individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, obstructing efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
The move comes amid growing concerns over escalating tensions between “hardline TPLF elements” and the Ethiopian government, which US officials warn could reignite a devastating conflict that ended with the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.
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According to the State Department, clashes earlier this year between members of the Tigray Security Forces (TSF) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) has already forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes across northern Ethiopia amid fears of a return to full-scale war.
“Today, Secretary Rubio is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on hardline members of the TPLF and their immediate family members,” the statement said. “This visa restriction policy targets individuals who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining resolution to the crisis in the Tigray region.”
Washington said the measures are intended to support peace and accountability efforts while signaling continued US commitment to stability in Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa region.
“We will continue to use all tools available to expose and promote accountability for TPLF officials and other individuals who threaten that peace and stability in the region,” the statement added.
The State Department did not immediately identify the individuals targeted by the visa restrictions. However, it was indicated that additional measures could be considered against those who threaten that peace and stability in the region.
