The United States has officially lifted its broad restrictions on arms exports to Ethiopia, marking a major shift in relations between Washington and Addis Ababa.
The U.S. State Department said future military export requests involving Ethiopia will now be assessed case by case instead of being automatically rejected.
As part of the policy change, Ethiopia has been removed from the restricted category under Section 126.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
The move comes after years of strained ties linked to the Tigray conflict and allegations of widespread human rights abuses during the fighting.
Washington had previously limited military cooperation with Ethiopia over concerns about internal instability and violence across the region.
The decision also comes at a sensitive moment, as authorities in Port Sudan continue to accuse Ethiopia of allowing drone operations from its territory targeting sites inside Sudan.
Port Sudan junta administration has alleged that drones launched through Ethiopian territory struck strategic locations deep within Sudan.
So far, the United States has not publicly backed those claims and has instead moved ahead with restoring defence cooperation with Addis Ababa.
Analysts say the easing of restrictions could strengthen Ethiopia’s position in the strategically important Horn of Africa, where regional competition continues to intensify.
The change could also open the door to broader security cooperation and closer economic ties between the United States and Ethiopia.
Observers view the decision as part of a wider American effort to reinforce stability in East Africa while managing the region’s overlapping conflicts and security challenges.
