Blinken urges Ethiopia to cement peace

Blinken sips the coffee for which Ethiopia is famous. A.B

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Ethiopia to "deepen peace" in the north of the country, which has seen a bloody two-year war, while cautiously repairing relations damaged by the conflict.

The US secretary is making his first visit to Washington's historic ally since the Tigray war, which has killed nearly 500,<> people, according to US estimates, and prompted Washington to abandon trade preferences that were granted to Africa's second-largest country based on population.

As China and Russia increasingly seek to strengthen their influence in Ethiopia and around the continent, Blinken began his visit by expressing hope for improved relations, while sipping Ethiopia's famous coffee at the State Department.

"It is a very important moment, a moment of hope, given the peace that has been established in the north," he said.

"A lot more needs to be done. "The most important thing is probably to deepen the peace that is taking hold in the north."

Blinken, who spoke of crimes against humanity committed during the war, said his goal was to "strengthen the relationship" with Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union, as US President Joe Biden seeks to deepen ties with Africa.

He later met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who wrote on Twitter, "We agreed to strengthen the historic bilateral relations between our two countries with a commitment to partnership," during the talks, which took place away from the media spotlight.