ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has wrapped up a two-day trip to Ethiopia after meeting with a series of leaders about a number of issues including private economic growth, the threat China poses to development, the implementation of democratic reform, promoting women as an equal part of the workforce and more.
"Ethiopia is America’s long and warm relationship with the country. It’s our second-oldest diplomatic relationship in Africa. In the 1930s and ’40s, the United States staunchly backed Ethiopian sovereignty when it was under threat," Pompeo said during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew Tuesday afternoon. "We were one of the few countries to do so then. Today, Washington, D.C. is home to the largest Ethiopian diaspora community outside of Africa, and we love them."
"Our relationship provides a strong foundation for our cooperation on matters of security. The Horn of Africa is a pretty dangerous neighborhood. We recommitted this afternoon to our shared fight against al-Shabaab and other Islamist terror," he continued.
Upon departure from Ethiopia, Pompeo will travel to Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife, Susan Pompeo, arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. February 17, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Ato Gedu Andargachew in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
A motorcade waits to take Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to his next meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participates in a religious freedom roundtable at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
An Ethiopian soldier stands guard as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and other officials at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
Members of the media wait for a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Ato Gedu Andargachew. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sheraton Hotel. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds a press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Ato Gedu Andargachew at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. February 18, 2020. (Townhall Media/Katie Pavlich)