On February 7, 2013, the Center for African Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) celebrated the graduation of 100 traditional weavers now equipped with advanced skills in fabric design and production. All 50 of the first class of trainees found placement in export-focused companies, 90 percent of which are owned and managed by women. CAWEE expects similar placement for the next class of 50. By working for export companies, CAWEE estimates that traditional weavers can increase their income by as much as 75 percent. Read More »
DAVOS, Switzerland—The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with Ethiopia and DuPont to boost maize harvests through increased use of hybrid maize seed, improved seed distribution, and post-harvest storage. Read More »
The United States warmly welcomes Ethiopia’s selection of Hailemariam Desalegn as the country’s new Prime Minister and Demeke Mekonnen as the new Deputy Prime Minister. We commend the government of Ethiopia for undertaking an historic, peaceful, and constitutional transition of power.
We are closely watching what is happening in Yemen and elsewhere, and we certainly hope and expect that there will be steps taken to avoid violence and prevent the escalation of protests into violence. Read More »
"Good morning. First Lady Azeb Mesfin, President Girma, Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam, members of the Council of Ministers, members of Parliament, excellencies, distinguished guests, and the great people of Ethiopia – thank you for the privilege of speaking here today. We gather to mark a profoundly sorrowful loss for Ethiopia, for Africa, and for the entire world. Our shared grief is palpable." Amharic Version »
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia.I admired the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to transforming Ethiopia’s economy and to expanding education and health services. Amharic Version »
It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles deserves recognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethiopia’s development, particularly his unyielding commitment to Ethiopia’s poor. Amharic Version »
On behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development, I join President Obama in extending my heartfelt condolences to the family of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and to the people of Ethiopia. Amharic Version »
President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to attend the State Funeral of His Excellency Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Read More »
The President and Acting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn spoke today. President Obama conveyed his condolences on behalf of the American people to the people of Ethiopia for the country’s loss. President Obama also noted that Prime Minister Meles made significant contributions to Ethiopia’s development and to peace and security in the region. President Obama underscored the commitment of the United States to continuing in our partnership with Ethiopia, and urged Acting Prime Minister Hailemariam to use his leadership to enhance the Ethiopian government’s support for development, democracy, human rights and regional security. Amharic Version »
I am profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of my close friend and cherished colleague, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. My family and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Azeb, and their children, and to the Government and people of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles leaves behind an indelible legacy of major contributions to Ethiopia, Africa, and the world. His loss will be greatly felt in so many places in so many ways. Amharic Version »
Good morning. It is such an honor and a pleasure for me to be here, and let me begin by thanking the Foreign Minister. We are very proud that you were educated in part in our country, and we are very pleased to see you in this position. And I thank you for quoting one of my favorite sayings and admonitions about what we are to do with our time on this earth. And I am grateful to you, Foreign Minister Cisse. Read More »
The United States remains deeply concerned about the trial, conviction, and sentencing of Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega, as well as seven political opposition figures, under the country's Anti-Terrorism Proclamation. The sentences handed down today, including 18 years for Eskinder and life imprisonment for the opposition leader Andualem Arage, are extremely harsh and reinforce our serious questions about the politicized use of Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism law in this and other cases. Read More »
Today the White House announced a new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa that provides a proactive and forward looking vision grounded in partnership. The new strategy sets forth four strategic objectives, as described below, and commits the United States to elevate its efforts on the first two of these four pillars: strengthening democratic institutions and spurring economic growth, trade and investment. Read More »
We are deeply concerned about the Ethiopian government’s conviction of a number of journalists and opposition members under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation. This practice raises serious questions and concerns about the intent of the law, and about the sanctity of Ethiopians' constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
The U.S. Department of State, in conjunction with several U.S. Government agencies, will host the eleventh annual U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum, commonly known as the AGOA Forum, June 14-15, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. Government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa, and is the parent legislation of the Forum. Read More »
On June 13, Secretary Hilary Clinton will welcome more than 60 young African leaders to the Innovation Summit and Mentoring Partnership with Young African Leaders, a three-week professional development program sponsored by the U.S. government in collaboration with implementing partner, Meridian International Center. On June 14, Under Secretary of Political Affairs Wendy Sherman opens the program at the Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C. Read More »
The United States Government launched today a new HIV prevention program that will reach over 2 million most at-risk populations (MARPs) and other highly vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. With funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will commit $70 million over the next five years supporting the reduction of HIV incidence by 50% by 2015, a goal set by the Government of Ethiopia. Read More »
In 2011, the worst drought in 60 years struck the Horn of Africa. The United Nations declared famine in six regions of Somalia, threatening the lives of over 250,000 Somalis, and requiring urgent humanitarian assistance for more than 13.3 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and other parts of Somalia. The international community responded and famine conditions abated in January 2012. Nevertheless, today, more than 9 million people still remain in need of emergency assistance in Horn of Africa. Read More »
The United States strongly condemns Sudan’s military incursion into South Sudan yesterday and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all Sudanese armed militia from South Sudan. Read More »
The United States continues to be deeply concerned by the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa, and particularly the hard-hit Somali population. Despite the end of famine conditions in February, nearly 10 million people in the region still require humanitarian assistance. Read More »
Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns wrapped up his week-long visit to Africa January 30, 2012 in Ethiopia. As head of the U.S. delegation to the African Union Summit, he met yesterday and today with a number of leaders in Addis Ababa, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, South Sudanese President Kiir, Sudanese Foreign Minister Karti, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles, Libyan Prime Minister al-Keeb, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang, and Kenyan Foreign Minister Wetangula. Read More »
Today, at an American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) conference, U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah announced a new initiative that will use its Development Credit Authority (DCA) and the Department of State's Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator to leverage private sector financing for health facilities in Ethiopia focused on delivering quality services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Read More »
The Department of State has issued a new Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security
The United States is deeply concerned by the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa and today’s announcement by the United Nations that a famine is underway in parts of Somalia. Read More »