Washington’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, highlighted increasing risks associated with traveling to the Amhara and Oromia regions following a recent visit to Ethiopia.
The visit was part of a broader tour that included Belgium and Kenya in efforts to follow up with AU and IGAD officials on regional security issues, including humanitarian efforts in Sudan and the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement in northern Ethiopia.
During a press briefing at the US embassy in Addis Ababa on Friday, Hammer emphasized Washington’s commitment to addressing the violence in Amhara and Oromia as armed conflict between rebel groups and government forces continue to take their toll.
“While we work on broader regional issues, we must not lose sight of the considerable violence in Amhara and Oromia,” he stated.
Ethiopia’s reinstatement to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade deal with the US, remains unrealized due to the violence, according to the Special Envoy.
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“Sadly, abuses and atrocities continue to be reported,” Hammer said. “As long as these violations persist, Ethiopia cannot be reintegrated into AGOA. We achieved peace in Tigray, but our work is far from done. We continue to offer our good offices for dialogue with Amhara Fano and the Oromo Liberation Army.”
Hammer referred to US involvement in talks between the OLA and the federal government in Tanzania last year, which ended without a peace deal. Norway was also among the mediators.
“Just because the talks didn’t succeed doesn’t mean we’ve stopped our efforts,” he said. “We remain open to further talks, whether on the Oromia track or, if possible, in Amhara. These conflicts do not have military solutions; they require dialogue.”
When the special envoy was asked if there are any efforts to mediate between the Amhara militia and the federal government, he responded by asking, “Who are the right people to meet? Who are those most interested in pursuing peace?”
Hammer also spoke about the ongoing national dialogue process and efforts towards transitional justice.
“There must be a full accounting of what has happened,” Hammer said. “We are deeply engaged in partnership with the Ethiopian government and all parties interested in peace.”
He said it is “difficult” to travel to Amhara and Oromia due to the ongoing conflict, but indicated that efforts to promote peace are underway even if they are not evident.
“We are working on it every day, even if it’s not always visible,” said Hammer.
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