US State Secretary’s Visit Indicates Ethiopia, US Relation Being Normalized: Morgan State University Professor - ENA English
US State Secretary’s Visit Indicates Ethiopia, US Relation Being Normalized: Morgan State University Professor
Addis Ababa March 17/2023 /ENA/ Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to Ethiopia indicates that the relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S. is in the process of being normalized, Morgan State University Political Science and International Relations Professor Getachew Metaferia said.
The professor told ENA that the visit was good and beneficial for the two countries with 120-year long relationship.
Author of the book “Ethiopia and the United States: History, Diplomacy, and Analysis,” Professor Getachew noted that the visit shows that the relation between the two countries is in the process of being normalized.
“The visit indicates that the relations between the two countries, Ethiopia and the U.S., which were not quite cordial during the war between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the TPLF, is in the process of being normalized.”
According to him, the visit also indicates that the U.S. is back in Africa, as stated by President Biden during the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit.
“For Ethiopia and the U.S., this is a welcome after a brief hiatus, especially during the Trump administration,” Professor Getachew stated.
He added that the U.S. cannot afford to be an onlooker when the geopolitics of the region is given more attention by competing powers such as China and Russia.
The professor pointed out that “the stability of Ethiopia is very important for the country itself, for the region, and for Africa at large. Because of this, Secretary Anthony Blinken emphasized durable peace and development in Ethiopia.”
Also, Blinken announced a significant amount of money (331 million USD) to help victims of conflict and drought.
Professor Getachew stated that the amount of money announced is the largest and that indicates the deep concern of the U.S.
Commenting about re-admission of Ethiopia to AGOA, he said Ethiopia’s re-admission to AGOA will not only help the emerging export-oriented economy of Ethiopia; but it will have significant social implications.
I hope that will take place soon as it will change the life and well-being of young men and girls who were employed for the first time, started earning wages and improving their lives, he underscored.