The special representative for the Horn of Africa (SEHOA) Mike Hammer arrived in Ethiopia on September 5 to strengthen efforts for an immediate stop to the war and the participation of the Ethiopian government and the regional authority of Tigrayan in peace talks led by the African Union. Special Representative Hammer met with Ethiopian government officials, members of the AU, and international partners on the next step forward, and returned to Washington on September 16. He will continue diplomatic efforts in next to the UN General Assembly in New York during the high week starting September 19.
During his visit to Ethiopia, Special Director Hammer met with the High Representative of the AU Olusegun Obasanjo several times to discuss how the United States can partner to support the process of the silence. In addition, the SEHOA Hammer met with his partners UN Special Representative to the Secretary General Hanna Tetteh and EU SEHOA Annette Weber, as well as other international partners. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, who attended the inauguration of the Kenyan President Ruto in Nairobi, also expanded these international efforts aimed at promoting the AU dialogue in search of peace. . The United States welcomes the reiteration by the Government of Ethiopia of its continued readiness to engage in talks, as well as the statement of September 11 by the Tigrayan regional government that it accepts an AU-led process, including the name of his order. In accordance with these commitments, the United States is seeking compliance from all parties to the conflict to enter into negotiations in good faith.
Special Envoy Hammer and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Tracey Ann Jacobson at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa also met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen to discuss US concerns about the resurgence of war in northern Ethiopia. and Eritrea’s re-entry into the conflict as well as the urgent need to redouble efforts to initiate AU-led talks aimed at bringing a lasting solution to the conflict. During his meetings with Ethiopian government officials as well as Tigrayan regional authorities, Special Envoy Hammer reiterated the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid in the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions, emphasized the need to respect human rights and avoid harming civilians, raised frequent reports of cultural detentions, and called for accountability for those responsible for violence and justice for victims and survivors.
Later, he met with the Chairman of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister of Justice Dr. Gedion Timothewos, and National Security Adviser Redwan Hussein. The United States is committed to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ethiopia and seeks peace and stability for the benefit of all Ethiopians. Special Envoy Hammer received information on the ongoing drought in eastern and southern Ethiopia, including the delivery of humanitarian aid as the United States continues to be Ethiopia’s largest donor of humanitarian aid.
