Ethiopia says US plans ‘substantial financial support’
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, right, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office after a meeting in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed , left, waits for the arrival of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with meets with with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, right, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, right, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew speaks during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (AP Photo/ Mulugeta Ayene)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, after a meeting on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office after a meeting in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office after a meeting in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed , left, waits for the arrival of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed , left, waits for the arrival of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, arrives for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Prime Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with meets with with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with meets with with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew at the Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. Pompeo’s visit to Africa is the first by a Cabinet official in 18 months. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, takes part in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2020. America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop has discussed political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and Ethiopia says the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support.” (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool Photo via AP)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — America’s top diplomat in his final Africa stop on Tuesday discussed dramatic political reforms with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, and the U.S. plans to provide “substantial financial support” to strengthen them, Ethiopia said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also spoke about Ethiopia’s dispute with Egypt over a massive dam project on the Nile River. “A great deal of work remains but I’m optimistic that over the coming months we can resolve this,” Pompeo said. An agreement had been expected this month.
Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous nation, with well over 100 million people, and a key U.S. security ally in the Horn of Africa. Abiy is under growing pressure to uphold the reforms that won him the Nobel last year. He took office in 2018 and quickly eased regional tensions, freed political prisoners and welcomed opposition groups home from exile.
But a major test looms in August with an election that the prime minister has repeatedly vowed will be free and fair. Analysts warn that his loosening of repressive measures has unleashed long-held grievances among some of the country’s more than 80 ethnic groups. Clashes at times have turned deadly.
“A free and credible vote will show that everyone has a voice,” Pompeo told reporters in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The U.S. says it has mobilized $37 million to support the country’s elections board.
“We have no experience of democracy in the past but we are opening up the space for all,” said Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew.
Separately, the Trump administration has pressed Abiy and his government to find a peaceful resolution to its dispute with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is nearing completion.
Ethiopia says the dam is crucial in helping to pull many of its people out of poverty, while Egypt warns that too-rapid filling of the dam’s reservoir in the coming years will imperil its share of Nile waters.
Washington has stepped in to help host several rounds of talks after Abiy warned that his country could muster millions to fight over the dam issue but preferred to negotiate a peaceful solution.
Pompeo on Tuesday also announced that the U.S. would provide another $8 million to support efforts to fight a massive locust outbreak in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
The secretary of state is the first Cabinet official to visit Africa in 18 months. He also stopped in Senegal and Angola on a trip that seeks to reassert U.S. interests on a continent that many have accused the Trump administration of largely neglecting. China, Africa’s top trading partner for a decade now, is a major U.S. concern.
Ethiopia has close business ties with China and has grown closer to wealthy Gulf nations on the other side of the nearby Red Sea as well. Numerous global powers have been turning their focus to the African continent of more than 1.2 billion people, many of them young.
Analysts have said a key task for Pompeo is countering the recent messaging out of Washington as the Pentagon considers cutting U.S. military presence in Africa and new visa restrictions target Nigerians, Sudanese, Tanzanians and Eritreans.
“Peace in Africa will be won by Africans,” Pompeo told reporters.
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Cara Anna in Johannesburg contributed.