US Imposes Visa Restrictions on TPLF Hardliners Over Tigray Peace Concerns

June 19, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The United States has announced visa restrictions on hardline members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members, citing concerns that their actions are undermining efforts to maintain peace in northern Ethiopia.

The restrictions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The policy targets individuals accused of being responsible for, or complicit in, actions that threaten efforts to resolve the crisis in the Tigray region.

The move comes amid renewed tensions between TPLF hardliners and the Ethiopian government, following clashes earlier this year between the Tigray Security Forces (TSF) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). The confrontation was the first reported direct engagement between the two sides since the 2020-2022 conflict ended.

The US State Department said the renewed tensions risk worsening instability in northern Ethiopia, where the previous conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and severe humanitarian consequences.

The statement said civilians across northern Ethiopia have already been displaced amid fears that renewed fighting could return to the region.

"The United States will continue to stand with the Ethiopian people, including the people of Tigray, who want to live in peace and dignity," the State Department said.

Washington said it would continue using available measures to promote accountability against individuals it considers a threat to peace and stability in the region.

The visa restrictions represent the latest US action aimed at influencing actors involved in Ethiopia’s post-war political and security challenges.

Source: FSX Business News