Ethiopian situation a threat to Africa's security, Blinken says after Uhuru meet

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has asked all the parties involved in the ongoing skirmishes in Ethiopia to end the war and engage in a peaceful solution.

In a joint press address on Wednesday with the Kenyan CS Raychelle Omamo, Blinken said that the ongoing situation in Ethiopia is posing danger to the entire African continent.

“One place that we are both deeply concerned is Ethiopia. The conflicts there not only threaten that country but also its neighbours as well,” Blinken said.

He lauded the move taken by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s engagement with the United Nations, African Nation, and the other organisations to restore the situation in Ethiopia.

Also, the Secretary of State added that even after the US reduced its staff in Ethiopia, the Embassy remains fully engaged in facilitating humanitarian assistance as well as helping the remaining Americans in the country to leave.

He has asked the Americans who are still trapped in Ethiopia to leave the country by whatever means possible.

“We continue to urge Americans in Ethiopia to leave the country using the best available option, and the commercial aviation is working to function normally.”

He regretted Tuesday’s terror attacks in Uganda.

Regarding Somalia, the Secretary of State said that America is working closely with the Somalian government to defeat Al Shabab and other terrorist organisations. which he said will be a step in restoring peace and stability to Somalia as well as to the region.

On Sudan's situation, Blinken said America is standing with the Sudanese in demanding a democratic government.

Blinken on Wednesday also held talks with President Kenyatta at State House.

BILATERAL TALKS

State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena said that the meeting was a follow-up of the conversation Uhuru had with his American counterpart Joe Biden in Washington DC last month and covered a wide array of subjects among them Covid-19, climate change and, regional peace and security.

The president thanked the American government for the development support it continues to offer Kenya especially in the health sector, and once again reiterated Kenya's deep desire to become a regional vaccines production and logistics hub.

On climate change, the president once again welcomed the US government's return to the Paris Agreement saying Kenya was keen on partnering with the US in advancing the climate agenda.

Blinken acknowledged Kenya's tremendous progress in climate action particularly in the adoption of green energy solutions saying the US was keen on exploring new opportunities for partnership in the subject area.

The two also spoke about regional peace and security and explored new opportunities for collaboration in resolving ongoing regional conflicts and achieving sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa.

Blinken is in the country for the start of his three-nation African visit.

Edited by D Tarus