In the latest edition of our Sanctions Watch weekly digest, we present significant updates on sanction watchlists and regulatory developments.
The United States Department of State has unveiled a visa restriction policy targeting individuals deemed to undermine democracy in Liberia ahead of its October 10, 2023, general election, following a similar approach taken in Sierra Leone before its June 2023 presidential election.
The European Union’s ban on broadcasting content from specific entities, including RT Balkan, Oriental Review, Tsargrad, New Eastern Outlook, and Katehon, is being extended from October 1, 2023. This extension, outlined in Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2081, also suspends broadcasting licenses and distribution arrangements with these entities under Article 2f of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has broadened its guidance on sanctions related to Russia, permitting licenses for the transfer of oil refining equipment and technology to entities in Russia that are not of Russian origin. This is permitted as long as the transfers do not have any military implications and the equipment was already in Russia before the sanctions were imposed.
The United States has decided to maintain its sanctions against Ethiopia for an additional year due to concerns about terrorism. Simultaneously, Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to employing economic measures in international diplomacy by extending a 35% import tariff on Russian and Belarusian goods until October 2025.