ADDIS ABABA – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Gedu Andargachew has met on 18 February 2020 with the U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo to discuss issues that would further enhance the relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is visiting Ethiopia on 18–19 February and has already met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Sahle-Work Zewde, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew of Ethiopia and reiterated U.S. support for Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people, as the country implements historic political and economic reforms. Highlighting the importance of free and fair elections in accordance with the Ethiopian constitution and discuss shared goal of peace and security in the Horn of Africa are also parts of the Secretary’s agenda.
Speaking at the press conference held by Minister Gedu Andargachew and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Gedu appreciated the United States’ comprehensive support for Ethiopia.
He thanked President Donald Trump and the United States Government for efforts to help Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt make a fair and equitable deal on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Discussing the economic situation in Ethiopia, Gedu said his country is undertaking a huge economic reform taking the indispensable role of the private sector into account.
The Minister also spoke about Ethiopia’s efforts to maintain peace and security in the region, particularly on the ongoing efforts to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and the joint efforts with the neighboring countries to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on his part hailed Ethiopia’s key role in peacebuilding and peacekeeping activities in the region.
He expressed his country’s commitment to support the ongoing economic reform in Ethiopia and hoped that a positive change will be registered in Ethiopia’s economy.
Regarding the ongoing discussions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Secretary Pompeo expressed his belief that the three countries would resolve sticky issues and conclude discussions over the dam with fruitful results.
The U.S.–Ethiopia partnership advances democracy and economic prosperity
- The United States and Ethiopia have enjoyed more than a century of diplomatic relations dating to 1903. Their bilateral partnership is one of our oldest on the continent, second only to Morocco.
- The United States stands with Ethiopia as it implements historic political and economic reforms and organizes free and fair elections in 2020. To date, the United States has mobilized more than $37 million to support the National Elections Board of Ethiopia’s efforts to organize a multi-party, credible elections process, and to engage civil society and youth to address issues of national concern leading up to the elections.
- Ethiopia is among the fastest growing economies in the world. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), now in its 20th year, provides duty-free access to the U.S. market. Thanks to AGOA, Ethiopia has increased its footwear exports forty-five-fold in just seven years, benefiting both the United States and Ethiopia.
- Ethiopia and the United States partnered in $1.8 billion in total, two way, trade in 2018. Goods exports totaled $1.3 billion; goods imports totaled $445 million. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Ethiopia was $863 million in 2018.
- The United States government allocated more than $117 million in the last two years to expand economic opportunity in Ethiopia, improve the business climate, create a level playing field for all investors, and encourage entrepreneurship and U.S. investment.
The U.S.– Ethiopia partnership promotes peace in the region
- Ethiopia hosts the largest numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers in Africa. The United States has provided more than $494 million in humanitarian assistance efforts to support vulnerable and displaced populations in the region.
- Ethiopia is a valuable security partner to the United State, thanks to its prolific support to international peacekeeping and regional crisis-response operations, its strategic geographic location, and its central role in promoting regional stability and counterterrorism.
- The United States has provided material, logistics, and training support to Ethiopia as the world’s largest troop contributor to peacekeeping forces. Ethiopia has deployed more than 8,000 soldiers in support of United Nations missions in Sudan and South Sudan, and more than 4,000 soldiers to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
- U.S. engagements with the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have grown significantly since Prime Minister Abiy took office, and are largely focused on advancing security sector reform, institution building, and promoting U.S. military best practices and professionalism.
The U.S. Government provides enormous health and economic development aid for all Ethiopians
- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided life-saving humanitarian and development assistance to vulnerable populations in Ethiopia for decades. The Truman Administration initiated the U.S.’s development partnership with Ethiopia in 1951.
- USAID has provided $4 billion to Ethiopia over the past five years, to help accelerate economic growth, improve access to good quality health and education, strengthen community resilience to droughts and other shocks, and promote good governance.
- In 2019, the United States provided more than $797 million to support emergency humanitarian needs, food security, health, agriculture and economic growth, women’s empowerment, education and youth, democracy, governance, and conflict mitigation. Health indicators in Ethiopia, particularly those related to child health and malaria, have improved significantly in the past decade thanks to our partnership.
- The United States invests in high-potential crop and livestock value exports, nutritional activities targeting chronically food insecure households, and pastoral lowland communities.
- The United States supports Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Plan, which focuses on fostering private sector investment and jobs creation for one of Africa’s youngest populations.
- As climate change, conflict, and land tenure disputes continue to threaten stability, economic growth and food security, we are working with the Government of Ethiopia and local communities to prepare and adapt to crises by investing in early warning systems. This helps the government reduce their dependence on donors by facilitating preparedness, response, and recovery from large-scale emergencies.
Sources: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia & U.S. Department of State