Blinken Highlights Importance of Peace in Ethiopia 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in Addis Ababa on Wednesday to discuss the peace deal that ended hostilities in the country’s northern Tigray region.  “There's a lot to be done. But the most important thing is to keep the peace that has now taken hold in the north and to strengthen our ties as we move along,” Blinken said.  Blinken will also meet with Tigrayan officials in Addis Ababa before continuing his trip to Niger. This marks the third high-profile visit by a top official of the Biden administration to Africa this year.