US appreciates AU for Northern Ethiopia peace talks

Ottawa, 28 October 2022 (TDI): The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Moussa Faki Mahamat. The meeting took place during Secretary Blinken’s official visit to Canada.

Both discussed the peace processes in Africa at the start of the Northern Ethiopia Peace Talks. They also discussed the preparations for US-Africa Leaders Summit. The summit will take place in Washington DC from December 13-15, 2022.

Secretary Blinken highlighted the importance of peace and stability in the African region. Peace in the region of Africa is vital for US interests.

Northern Ethiopia Peace Talks

Since November 2020, the northern region of Ethiopia is the center of ongoing civil conflict. The conflict involves ethno-regional militias, the federal government, and the Eritrean military.

This has destabilized the peace of the region and caught the attention of external actors and humanitarian groups.

Also read: African Union deploys election observers in Lesotho  

Peace negotiations started between the government of Ethiopia and Tigrayan regional authorities in South Africa on October 25. The peace negotiations are led by African Union (AU). The US appreciated and welcomed these AU-led peace talks.

The peace negotiations are appreciated with an immediate call for ceasing the hostilities in Ethiopia. The US commends African Union for taking this initiative.

US-Africa Leaders’ Summit

This is an international summit between the US and leaders from the African region. It was first held in 2014 under the administration of former US President Barak Obama. The summit focused on trade, investment, and security of the African continent.

This year the summit will be held under administration of the US President Joe Biden from December 13-15, 2022.

The summit will highlight the importance of US-Africa relations and demonstrate commitment to enhancing cooperation in a range of international priority areas.

In this regard, US President Biden has stated, “I look forward to working with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of US-Africa relations”.