Top US diplomats headed to Ethiopia amid Tigray war

NAIROBI, Kenya - Two top representatives of President Joe Biden are set to land in Addis Ababa on a trip that comes amid concerns over the humanitarian conflict in northern Ethiopia, which has now lasted for over 13 months.

A few weeks ago, Biden, who is yet to visit Africa since his inauguration, placed a phone call to embattled Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta over the deteriorating situation in Northern Ethiopia.

Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] has been at loggerheads with Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF] leading to the death of thousands of people and to the displacement of millions of others according to aid agencies.

Molly Phee, who is the Assistant Secretary of State on African affairs, and David Satterfield, the newly appointed US envoy for the Horn of Africa, are set to arrive in Addis Ababa where they will hold talks with conflicting teams.

The State Department said the two “will follow up on President Biden’s constructive phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy on January 10. They will encourage government officials to seize the current opening for peace by ending the airstrikes and other hostilities, negotiating a ceasefire, releasing all political prisoners, restoring sustained humanitarian access, and laying the foundation for an inclusive national dialogue.”

State Department further said the two will travel to Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Ethiopia from January 17 to 20, 2022. “While in Riyadh, Assistant Secretary Phee and Special Envoy Satterfield will attend a meeting of the Friends of Sudan, intended to marshal international support for the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission to Sudan [UNITAMS] in its efforts to facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy,” the Bureau said.

In Sudan, “following the Friends of Sudan meeting, the Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy will travel to Khartoum where they will meet with pro-democracy activists, women and youth groups, civil society, military leaders, and political figures. Their message will be clear: The United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people.”

The last leg of their visit will be to Ethiopia, where “the Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy will follow up on President Biden’s constructive phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy on January 10. They will encourage government officials to seize the current opening for peace by ending the airstrikes and other hostilities, negotiating a ceasefire, releasing all political prisoners, restoring sustained humanitarian access, and laying the foundation for an inclusive national dialogue.”

GAROWE ONLINE