Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke meets US Special Envoy Mike Hammer

Addis Ababa, July 29, 2022 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen for, welcomed US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer at his office on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Demeke briefed the special envoy about the steps the Ethiopian government has been undertaking to ensure lasting peace in Ethiopia.

He said Ethiopia would remain committed to supporting the AU-led peace initiative, which was demonstrated by the appointment of a negotiating team representing the federal government.

He also mentioned confidence-building measures, such as the declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire, the creation of unfettered access to humanitarians, and accountability measures taken to redress wrongs, as manifestations of the government’s commitment to peace.

At a time when the government is showing its commitment to the peace talks, the TPLF’s wavering commitment to peace is threatening the AU-led peace process, he said.

To not take the positive developments back to square one, Demeke said, the international community should put the necessary pressure on the group.

Regarding the tripartite negotiation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Demeke expressed Ethiopia’s principled stance to reach amicable solutions.

The US Special Envoy, on his part, lauded the government’s measures to bring lasting peace and the encouraging results in facilitating unhindered access to humanitarian operators in conflict-affected areas.