Petition to Extend and Strengthen E.O. 14046 Sanctions on Isaias Afwerki and His Enablers

To: President of the United States, the White House, and U.S. policymakers

Eritrea’s Alliance with Russia and Hostility Toward the U.S.
President Isaias Afwerki has gone beyond oppressing Eritreans at home — he has openly aligned Eritrea with Russia in opposition to the United States and NATO.

In Moscow, Afwerki told President Putin that the world order is on the brink of a radical transformation and declared that Russia must play a leading role in shaping a “new world order” based on opposition to the West.

In a follow-up interview, Afwerki escalated his rhetoric against America, stating:

“This American policy of containment has also been directed at Russia for 30 years since the end of the Cold War… The U.S. and NATO declared war on Moscow with their policy of deterrence of Russia.”

He further claimed that U.S. strategy aims to suppress sovereign nations and block their growth, insisting:

“If you are containing one nation not to grow, not to compete, not to be able to make its contributions, then you are declaring war.”

These statements are not neutral diplomacy. They place Eritrea firmly in the camp of authoritarian regimes working to undermine U.S. foreign policy, global security, and democratic values. By positioning himself alongside Putin and against the United States, Isaias Afwerki has made Eritrea not just a human rights violator but a direct adversary of U.S. interests.

     Eritreans have been forced to seek refuge in America and across the globe due to the oppressive regime of Isaias Afwerki and his enablers. The pain and suffering endured by these individuals is immeasurable, and their struggle for justice and freedom is ongoing. In the face of these injustices, we must stand up against PFDJ.

     Eritrea's government continues to undermine U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, where their actions have exacerbated conflicts and heightened regional instability. The Eritrean Government's military intervention in Ethiopia's internal affairs is a blatant disregard for international norms and has led to countless human rights violations, causing further distress and displacement among the civilian population.

     Extending Executive Order 14046 (E.O. 14046) sanctions on Eritrea is not merely a United States National Security decision; it is a moral imperative to curb a regime that shows flagrant disrespect for international law and human decency. Sanctions under E.O. 14046 have proven to be a critical tool in applying pressure on governments that defy global standards of human rights and governance. By extending and strengthening these sanctions, the United States will reinforce its commitment to promoting peace, stability, Security, and human rights in the region.

The Link to Immigration and U.S. Security
        Eritrean asylum seekers, refugees, and TPS recipients are a direct result of Isaias Afwerki’s dictatorship. Thousands flee indefinite conscription, torture, arbitrary detention, and transnational repression. These men, women, and children arrive in the United States seeking safety — yet their suffering continues as the regime extends its repression into the diaspora through organizations like the National Council of Eritrean Americans (NCEA) and the Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center (ECCC).

     At the same time, Eritrea remains on the U.S. travel ban list, limiting legal pathways for families escaping persecution. This contradiction — sanctioning the regime while restricting the victims — must be addressed. The U.S. cannot punish Eritrea’s dictatorship with one hand and close its doors to Eritrea’s victims with the other.

Eritrea’s Role in Undermining the Pretoria Agreement
     The Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022, was meant to end hostilities in northern Ethiopia and lay the groundwork for peace. Yet Eritrea has consistently undermined the implementation of this agreement by:

• Refusing to withdraw its troops from northern Ethiopia, in violation of the accord.
• Continuing military operations that destabilize the Tigray region and threaten renewed conflict.
• Blocking humanitarian access and intimidating civilians, further worsening famine and displacement.
• Undermining Ethiopia’s sovereignty and peace process, creating instability that could reignite regional war.

     By sabotaging the Pretoria Agreement, the Eritrean government is not only prolonging suffering but also threatening the security of the Horn of Africa, creating escalation to war, and U.S. interests in the Red Sea corridor. This makes extending E.O. 14046 sanctions an urgent necessity.

Consistency with U.S. Policy: Other Sanctioned Regimes
The Trump administration has already sanctioned countries and leaders who:

• Suppressed democratic freedoms (Venezuela – Nicolás Maduro)
• Engaged in nuclear threats and destabilization (North Korea – Kim Jong Un)
• Sponsored terrorism and violated international law (Iran – Revolutionary Guard Corps)
• Engaged in human rights abuses and regional destabilization (Syria – Bashar al-Assad)
• Eritrea under Isaias Afwerki falls squarely into this same category — a dictatorship engaged in crimes against humanity, destabilization of neighbors, and defiance of international law. Just as sanctions were used against Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Syria, Eritrea must also face strong, consistent U.S. action under E.O. 14046.

We, the undersigned, call for:

Immediate extension and strengthening of E.O. 14046 sanctions targeting Isaias Afwerki, his military, and his enablers.

• Targeted sanctions on PFDJ financial networks and diaspora fundraising fronts, including:
  • National Council of Eritrean Americans (NCEA)
  • Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center (ECCC)
  • Young People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ) – youth arm of PFDJ abroad
  • 4G – affiliate group used to mobilize support and raise funds
  • Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle (EAGS) – PFDJ-aligned nonprofit silencing justice seekers Other front organizations that disguise themselves as cultural/community groups but funnel resources to the regime.
• Freezing assets and blocking transactions of individuals, businesses, and institutions linked to the Eritrean regime.
• Accountability for military and security officials responsible for crimes against humanity in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
• Humanitarian consistency: alongside sanctions, expand protections for Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring that victims of dictatorship are not punished by restrictive immigration measures such as the travel ban.
• Firm U.S. leadership on peace: hold Eritrea accountable for undermining the Pretoria Agreement, ensuring that sanctions are tied to measurable withdrawal and compliance with peace terms.
  Petition Statement

     By extending and enforcing E.O. 14046, freezing the financial networks of PFDJ, linking sanctions with immigration relief, and holding Eritrea accountable for undermining the Pretoria Agreement, the United States will send a powerful message: the world will not turn a blind eye to National Security Concerns, oppression, and injustice.

Justice for the People of Eritrea is justice for the Horn of Africa, and justice for America’s values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and national security.