Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed confirmed on Wednesday, after receiving U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, that both countries agreed to strengthen relations in an effort to repair the diplomatic damage caused by the Tigray War. Blinken, who is visiting the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, also met with Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen.
He is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Tigray forces, who fought against the federal government for two years in the northern region. Blinken will travel to Niger on Thursday, where the country is facing an increasing insurgency from Islamist militants.
Abiy wrote on Twitter after the meeting with Blinken: "We agreed to enhance the long-term bilateral relations between the two countries with a commitment to partnership." Blinken told reporters before the meeting with Abiy and Demeke that there are many things to be done, adding, "The most important thing is to solidify the peace declared in the north."
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on its Twitter account, noting that discussions included talks on forming an interim administration in Tigray and transitional justice policies aimed at holding accountable and providing redress to the victims of the war.
