ADDIS ABABA (SD) -Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Atske-Selassie met with U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, in his office in Addis Ababa. The two discussed issues of peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Minister Taye expressed Ethiopia’s concerns regarding the post-ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) period and highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to ease regional tensions. His speech reflected significant worry and apprehension.

They also discussed the situation in the Tigray region. Ambassador Taye emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to fully implementing the Pretoria peace agreement and voiced concerns about the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) activities.

Taye called for the restoration of Ethiopia’s status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), from which the federal government had been excluded due to sanctions.

In response, U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, conveyed a straightforward message to Ethiopia: “The stability of the Horn of Africa depends on Ethiopia ceasing its interference in Somalia.”