Several US senators from the Democrat party urged the US government to halt arms sales to Ethiopia, condemn Ethiopian government war in northern Ethiopia and called for Ethiopia to respect Eritrea’s sovereignty as the Ethiopian regime wants to seize Eritrea’s Assab port by force.
Senators Call for Diplomatic Action on Ethiopia and Eritrea
In a letter sent on November 10, 2026, to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, five Democratic senators—Jeanne Shaheen (ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), Cory Booker, Chris Coons, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Van Hollen—called for immediate U.S. action and effectively condemned the Ethiopian government’s war and escalatory actions in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region amid rising tensions with Eritrea.
Concerns Over Fighting in Tigray and Regional Risks
The senators warned that hostilities between Ethiopia’s federal government and opposition forces have shattered the fragile peace established by the 2022 Pretoria Agreement.
They highlighted Ethiopian government drone strikes, including a September 20 attack on a Catholic Relief Services aid convoy carrying U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance, and the risk of a multi-front conflict that could destabilize the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Call to Halt New Arms Sales to Ethiopia
On arms sales, the letter states clearly: “The United States should not allow new arms sales to Ethiopia while hostilities continue.” This follows the Trump administration’s lifting of the prior arms-export denial policy under ITAR in May 2026 and the expiration of related sanctions in September.
Clear Warning: Forcible Seizure of Assab Will Not Be Accepted
On Eritrea’s sovereignty and the Port of Assab, the senators wrote:
“In particular, any discussion of a military acquisition of the Port of Assab should be off the table and we urge the State Department to avoid offering Port acquisition as a diplomatic tool during any negotiation. It should be made clear that any attempt by the Ethiopian government to forcibly access the Port of Assab will not be supported or accepted by the United States.”
Key Senators Stand with the Principle of Eritrean Territorial Integrity
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), expected to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Democrats take control of the Senate in January, signed the letter alongside the others. The senators also demanded an immediate ceasefire, renewed mediation that includes groups excluded from the Pretoria Agreement, protection of civilians, a surge in humanitarian aid, and the reinstatement of Temporary Protected Status for eligible Ethiopians in the United States.
The letter was first reported by Semafor and later published in full by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats.
Victory for Eritrea’s Just Position
This clear statement from key Democratic senators condemns the Ethiopian government war in northern Ethiopia, calls for a halt to arms sales, and underscores that the United States will not support any Ethiopian attempt to seize Eritrea’s Port of Assab by force, reinforcing Eritrea’s internationally recognized sovereignty. Eritrea’s right to defend its borders and its port remains absolute.