The United States is weighing the removal of sanctions against Eritrea in a potential diplomatic reset driven by strategic commercial and geopolitical interests. An internal State Department document reviewed by Reuters indicated the sanctions—imposed in 2021 over atrocities during the Tigray conflict—are likely to be rescinded, though the timing has not been confirmed. Eritrea, long accused of human rights abuses, possesses significant reserves of copper, zinc, nickel, gold, and other resources that could attract foreign investment. Its location along the Red Sea also gives it growing geopolitical importance. Analysts say both countries may see benefits in closer ties; the US gains influence in a strategically vital region, while Eritrea reduces dependence on Chinese investment and strengthens its position amid tensions with neighboring Ethiopia. Analysts note that Egypt may have played a mediating role, partly to counter Ethiopia’s regional influence amid the ongoing Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute.
African Business
