Washington, DC - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today after President Trump allowed Executive Order 14046, "Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons With Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia" to expire:  

“President Trump is turning a blind eye to a rapidly deteriorating security situation in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The timing of this decision could not be worse. Fighting in Tigray is escalating, as evidenced by recent drone strikes that have gone largely uncovered by international media, hampered further by Ethiopia’s heavily restricted press. Armed actors have attacked health centers and humanitarian aid workers in and around the region and Ethiopian and Eritrean forces remain at heightened risk of conflict.   

“Ethiopia and Eritrea both pledged to set aside their differences and work together to strengthen regional peace and stability. Recent actions, including this weekend’s fighting, suggest more of the same short-sighted brinksmanship that has left northern Ethiopia mired in conflict. President Trump should press all actors to abide by their commitments to regional peace. Lifting these sanctions now sends exactly the wrong signal at exactly the wrong time.”