United States Appoints New Chargé d’Affaires to Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – The United States has named a new diplomat to head its mission in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson will become Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, replacing Geeta Pasi, who was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia by former President Donald Trump.

“Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, will serve as Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, at the Embassy in Addis Ababa,” said Spokesperson Office of State Department in a statement today.

She will take over for Geeta Pasi who plans to “retire to pursue other opportunities” afters serving as a U.S. ambassador in Addis Ababa for less than a year.

In the statement, the Department of State said “distinguished by her previous assignments, including as Ambassador to Kosovo, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, Ambassador Jacobson will lead U.S. engagement in Ethiopia”.

“The Secretary of State selected Ambassador Jacobson to continue the work undertaken by Ambassador Pasi to press for an immediate cessation of hostilities, an end to ongoing human rights abuses and violations, unhindered humanitarian access, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia” the statement added.

The Department of State also expressed “its great appreciation to Ambassador Pasi”, Class of Career Minister, “for her distinguished public service in advancing the values and interests of the United States around the globe”.

“We are particularly grateful for her stewardship of Embassy Addis Ababa during an exceptionally complex period,” it said.