In a significant development, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and mutual priority areas.
This conversation marks Rubio’s first discussion with Ahmed since taking office as Secretary of State this year.
During the call, Rubio reaffirmed US support for a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of stability in the Horn of Africa.
Although the details of their discussion are not publicly available, it is likely that the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea were addressed, given the region’s deteriorating situation.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been strained in recent months, with both nations preparing for war.
The Crisis Group has reported alarming and credible reports of military mobilization on both sides of the border, sparking concerns about the region’s stability.
China, a traditional ally of Eritrea, is expected to be involved in mediation efforts between the two countries.
However, the US State Department has not disclosed whether Rubio specifically discussed Ethiopia’s tension with Eritrea during the call.
The US has historically maintained close ties with the Ethiopian government, which has not been the case with Eritrea.
As the situation in the region continues to unfold, the US position on the escalating tension remains unclear.
