U.S. Secretary of State Blinken to visit Ethiopia next week

Addis Ababa, March 10, 2023 (FBC) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will visit Ethiopia and Niger next week, Ethiopia and Niger March 14-17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State official press statement confirms.

On March 15, Secretary Blinken will visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he will discuss implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement to advance peace and promote transitional justice in northern Ethiopia, the statement discloses.

It is also stated that he will meet humanitarian partners and civil society actors to discuss humanitarian assistance delivery, food security, and human rights.

While in Addis Ababa, the Secretary will also meet with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to discuss shared global and regional priorities and follow up on commitments from the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit regarding food security, climate and a just energy transition, the African diaspora, and global health.

According to the Department of State, he is also expected to underscore U.S. support for African permanent representation in multilateral bodies.

Furthermore, in the first-ever visit to Niger by a U.S. Secretary of State, on March 16, Secretary Blinken is scheduled to meet President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in Niamey.