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WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 14th March, 2023) US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will visit Ethiopia and Niger from March 14-17 to discuss peace in northern Ethiopia and a variety of ways to promote partnerships with the US States in Africa.
Blinken will visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 15 to discuss the implementation of peace agreements and transitional justice in the country’s northern Tigray region, State Department spokesman Ned Price said last week.
The top US diplomat will also meet with Ethiopian and Tigrayan officials to discuss a cessation of hostilities, but will not stay in the regional capital of Tigray, said Mekelle, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, during a session press briefing.
While in Addis Ababa, Blinken will also meet with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to discuss shared global and regional priorities, as well as follow up on commitments made at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit regarding security food, climate and global health, price said.
Blinken will underline US support for permanent African representation in multilateral bodies, Price added.
He will arrive in Niger on March 16, marking the US Secretary of State’s first visit to the country. Blinken will meet Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in the capital Niamey, Price said.
He will discuss ways to advance the US-Niger partnership on diplomacy, democracy, development and defense, Price said. Blinken will also engage with youth from the conflict zones of Niger and further collaboration between the US-Africa Leaders Summit on global and regional peace and security issues.
In December, Blinken said to expect several US officials, including President Joe Biden, to visit Africa in 2023. It is essential to implement commitments made during the US-Africa Leaders Summit, Blinken said.