UN Security Council expected to lift sanctions on Eritrea on Wednesday
Today, the UN Security Council will vote on lifting UN sanctions on Eritrea in a resolution that is expected to pass after the US national security adviser John Bolton announced the US will not oppose it.
Despite criticising Eritrea for its human rights record just last month, the UK circulated a draft resolution calling for an end to the arms embargo, travel bans, asset freezes and targeted sanctions on high ranking government figures and those associated with them.
The recent warming of relations between Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia and a report that found no conclusive evidence that Eritrea was providing support to the al-Shabaab terrorist organision, as was previously thought, are likely to have prompted the US reversal.
The lifting of sanctions could have a positive impact on both Eritrea and regional stability thanks to anticipated improvements in Eritrea’s economy. More economic resources could help the Eritrean government better handle problems with internal militias, human traffickers and violent extremists. However, the change could also open up the region to more foreign investment influences, especially from countries interested in expanding their financial sway in the region, like China.
Delve deeper: Relations in Horn of Africa: a thawing of hostilities
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