Washington lifts arms embargo on Ethiopia after years of restrictions

The United States officially announced the lifting of restrictions on arms exports to Ethiopia, ending a years-long comprehensive arms embargo policy. The US authorities concerned with regulating defense trade confirmed that the administration will move to a new system based on reviewing export applications individually on a case-by-case basis. This strategic decision followed an intensive round of discussions in Washington, D.C., between high-ranking officials from my department These bilateral talks dealt with a variety of vital issues, including defense cooperation and the expansion of the trade partnership, as well as ways to enhance stability in the strategic East Africa region. The Defense Trade Control Administration explained that the new amendment will include a comprehensive review of licenses for activities subject to international arms trafficking regulations. The administration indicated that an anticipated regulatory change would result in Ethiopia being omitted from the List of prohibited countries in accordance with Article 126.1 of the Regulations in force. According to sources familiar with the file, this decision may open the way for Ethiopia to apply for advanced military equipment, including F-16 fighter jets or similar models, in addition to the possibilities of joint military training between the two sides. On the diplomatic front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held an important meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart Gideon Timotheus on the sidelines of the bilateral dialogue. US State Department spokesman Tommy Bigot confirmed that Rubio stressed during this meeting the central importance of the Ethiopian role in efforts to reduce regional tensions and settle conflicts in the East African region. These diplomatic developments come in light of the escalation of regional tensions, especially after Khartoum's accusations that Addis Ababa used a drone to bomb Khartoum airport from Bahir Dar Airport, on which Ethiopia has not yet issued an official comment.