They were imposed in 2009 after Eritrea was accused of supporting the Somali jihadist group al-Shabab.

But the UN Security Council has adopted a resolution after UN monitors found there was no longer evidence Eritrea was backing the militants.

Until a few months ago, Eritrea was a global pariah - some even called it “Africa's North Korea”.

A politically repressive closed state, Eritrea has been a major source of migrants to Europe.

Change started when a new prime minister came to power in Ethiopia, a close ally of the West.

Abiy Ahmed spearheaded a peace deal with Eritrea after two decades of hostilities.

But Eritrea will have now to step up.

It can no longer use enmity with its powerful neighbour or UN sanctions as an excuse for a near complete lack of political freedom, indefinite national service and a refusal to hold elections.