WASHINGTON (SD) – David Satterfield is expected to take over as Horn of Africa envoy in the coming days, according to a statement from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced the appointment of David Satterfield as U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, stating that the turmoil in the region required sustained American diplomatic engagement.

“When we asked Ambassador Feltman to take on this role in early 2021, we had intended his appointment to be for less than a year. However, the ongoing instability in the Horn of Africa and the region’s interlinked political, security, and humanitarian challenges demand sustained focus by the United States,” Blinken said.

The new envoy is a veteran of the State Department, with over forty years of experience, and was the US Ambassador to Turkey.

“Ambassador Satterfield’s decades of diplomatic experience and work amidst some of the world’s most challenging conflicts will be instrumental in our continued effort to promote a peaceful and prosperous Horn of Africa and to advance U.S. interests in this strategic region.” Blinken said.

Blinken noted that Feltman will continue to serve in an advisory role working closely with the secretary and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee.

“We are fortunate to be able to rely on these two extraordinary diplomats in support of U.S. diplomacy amidst the regional challenges and opportunities we face,” Blinken said.

The diplomat is stepping down after meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed yesterday, reiterating that the U.S. called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to the fighting between Ethiopian forces and rebel forces from the Tigray region in the north of the country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.