Abiy, Blinken Discuss Progress on implementing Peace Deal in N. Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has held a discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken over the progress of the recently signed peace deal in northern Ethiopia.
Abiy and Blinken met on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders Summit kicked off in Washington on Tuesday.
The PM headed to the U.S. two months after the Federal Government and the TPLF signed an AU-mediated cessation of hostilities agreement in Pretoria, and a declaration to execute the agreement in Nairobi.
The progress made in implementing the agreement was at the center of discussion between Abiy and Belinken in Washington late on Tuesday. The issue was also a subject of their phone conversation last month.
In a tweet today, Secretary of State Blinken said Abiy and he “discussed the measurable progress made so far” on the implementation of the agreement.
The two also looked into “the positive impact full implementation by all parties of the Pretoria & Nairobi agreements will have on Ethiopia’s recovery,” said Blinken.
Prime Minister Abiy described his discussion with Blinken as “candid and productive”.
“I expressed our appreciation to the US for their contribution to our efforts to achieve peace,” he said. “For decades Ethiopia has been a key ally of the U.S. in Africa and we discussed ways of strengthening our partnership.”
Abiy is among 49 African heads of state and leaders, as well as the African Union, attending the second U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit that the Biden administration is hosting in Washington to collaborate on key policy across climate change, security, and trade.
Beginning on Tuesday, the summit will focus on key challenges, including the climate crisis, good governance, food security, and global health, as well as bolstering US-Africa trade and investment opportunities.
