Top US diplomat lauds Ethiopian efforts to end conflict

ADDIS ABABA – A senior United States diplomat has praised Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s government’s government for its efforts to end the conflict in the country’s northern region of Tigray and bring about a lasting peace and stability in the Horn of African country.

On Tuesday, United States Special Envoy for the Horn of African (HoA) David Satterfield visited Ethiopian deputy PM and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen in his office in Addis Ababa where the two leaders discussed the humanitarian support the government and aid agencies are sending to northern region of Tigray.

In a statement seen by Sudans Post, the Ethiopian foreign ministry said Mr. Demeke “reiterated the government’s commitment to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian operators” but then “stressed concerns over obstructions to the flow of humanitarian assistance due to the TPLF’s continued provocation of adjacent regions.”

In respect to bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the Biden Administration, Demeke said American bills; HR6600 and S. 3199, which were passed by the US House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, in the wake of outbreak of war “could be not reflective of the longstanding and historical relations of the two countries.”

The second-most powerful Ethiopian politician went on to express “confidence that the U.S. would discard the draft bills since they put the lives of ordinary Ethiopians in danger rather than promote peace and democracy in the country.”

The statement said Demeke further “briefed Satterfield about the encouraging peace initiatives that the government of Ethiopia has taken to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country” pointing to the release of prominent opposition figures and the lifting of the state of emergency before its due date.

For his part, Ambassador Satterfield said his country’s government “appreciated and acknowledged the positive steps taken by the Ethiopian government to pacify and stabilize the country.”