OFAC removes Ethiopia sanctions as emergency expires, extends Lukoil divestment license

WASHINGTON, September 18, 2026 — The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control removed Ethiopia-related sanctions listings following the expiration of the national emergency declared under Executive Order 14046, while separately extending a Russia-related license covering potential divestment of Lukoil’s international assets.

The Ethiopia emergency was declared in September 2021 in response to the conflict and humanitarian and human rights crisis in northern Ethiopia. Following its expiration, OFAC removed persons previously designated under the order and withdrew related frequently asked questions.

The deletions include Eritrea’s ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, the Eritrean Defense Forces, Red Sea Trading Corporation and Hidri Trust, as well as Eritrean officials Hagos Ghebrehiwet W Kidan and Abraha Kassa under their respective aliases.

Separately, OFAC issued Russia-related General License 131J, replacing General License 131I and extending authorization through 12:01 a.m. EDT on Oct. 22, 2026, for negotiations and contingent contracts involving the sale, disposition or transfer of Lukoil International GmbH and its majority-owned entities.

The license also permits certain maintenance and wind-down activities involving Lukoil International entities through the same deadline and allows blocked accounts to be used for those authorized activities. It does not permit funds to be transferred to any person or account in Russia.

OFAC said the license does not authorize completion of an actual sale. Any transaction must remain contingent on separate OFAC approval. Updated guidance says Treasury expects a proposed divestment to sever Lukoil International’s ties with Lukoil and prevent sale proceeds owed to the sanctioned Russian parent from becoming available while sanctions remain in place.