Addis Ababa, June 18, 2026 (FMC) – The United States has announced targeted visa restrictions on individuals it describes as hardline members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members, citing actions it says are undermining peace in Ethiopia and threatening the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the U.S. Department of State said the measures are part of Washington’s efforts to respond to developments it views as destabilizing to Ethiopia’s post-conflict recovery process, nearly four years after the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement in November 2022, which formally ended the two-year war in northern Ethiopia.
According to the State Department, the restrictions are being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that allows the United States to deny entry to individuals whose presence may have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.
The U.S. said the decision targets individuals it believes are involved in actions that could reignite instability in northern Ethiopia and disrupt ongoing efforts to fully implement the peace accord. It did not disclose the identities or number of individuals affected by the measure.
“The United States remains committed to supporting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Ethiopia,” the State Department said, urging all parties to uphold the terms of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
The statement further emphasized Washington’s continued backing for dialogue among stakeholders and its support for efforts aimed at sustaining the ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian access, and consolidating long-term peace gains achieved since the agreement was signed in 2022.
The Pretoria Peace Agreement, signed in November 2022, ended a devastating two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia and established a framework for cessation of hostilities, humanitarian delivery, and political normalization between the Federal Government and the TPLF.
In recent months, concerns have persisted over renewed tensions in parts of the Tigray region, with international partners closely monitoring developments surrounding the durability of the peace arrangement.