Ethiopia asks the U.S. to support bid for termination of ‘politicized’ Int’l Commission of HR experts

Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs State Minister, Ambassador Mesganu Arga on Thursday.

During their discussion, the State Minister noted the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and the United States, and stressed the need to revitalize it with expanded engagements.

He commended the US for its support for the AU-led Pretoria Peace Deal between the Ethiopian Government and the TPLF.

He stated that the Government of Ethiopia is fully committed to implementing the terms of the Peace Deal and called on the United States to provide support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Reiterating Ethiopia’s commitment to address the issues of human rights violations via the Transitional Justice System, Ambassador Mesganu asked the United States to support Ethiopia’s bid in terminating the mandate of the highly politicized International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.

Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, for her part, appreciated the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Deal over the last three months and highlighted the US Government concerns on issues related to accountability.

She, in particular, appreciated the dramatic increase in access to humanitarian operations, the cessation of hostilities, the reopening of services, and efforts to ensure accountability through a system of transitional justice.

The discussion between the two sides ended covering a range of issues and noting the need for further collaboration between Ethiopia and the United States.