The United States has announced visa restrictions on certain people, according to reports on Thursday. According to the details, it says that these restrictions are for individuals who are involved in undermining peace in Ethiopia.
According to the details, the US State Department said the restrictions mainly target hardline leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members.
“Today, pursuant to his authority under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Secretary Rubio is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on hardline members of the TPLF and their immediate family members,” the statement reads.
The State Department said that growing tensions between hardline TPLF members and the Ethiopian government could restart conflict in northern Ethiopia. Adding that it threatens peace and security across the region.
The statement also referred to clashes earlier this year between TPLF forces and Ethiopian government troops.
It said that the visa restrictions are for the people who are responsible for, or involved in, disrupting efforts to resolve the Tigray crisis.
Before this, in May, Tigray’s main political party regained control of the northern region’s political system.
According to the report, this move violated part of a key agreement that ended the civil war between the group and Ethiopia’s federal government.
UAE announces temporary visa ban
Before this, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had imposed new visa restrictions on citizens of three African countries over concerns about the potential spread of the Ebola virus, according to the reports.
According to the details, the UAE is stopping people from three African countries from getting new visas.
The move was taken over concerns regarding the spread of the Ebola virus. The three countries are Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) of the UAE made the decision in order to protect the public health of the UAE.
Here are the main points of the new rule:
- The government is not giving out any new visas to people from these three countries. This includes tourist visas.
- Travellers who are coming from or passing through these countries cannot enter the UAE.
- There is one exception. People can enter if they have stayed outside of those three countries for 21 days before travelling.
