Senior U.S. diplomat  travels to Ethiopia and  South Sudan

Linda Thomas-Greenfield

ESAT News (January 18, 2017)

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield will be in Ethiopia on Thursday as part her two nation visit in East Africa.

She will be in South Sudan on January 18 and Ethiopia on January 19, according to a release by the U.S. Department of State.

“The primary purpose of the Assistant Secretary’s visit to Juba, South Sudan is to meet with U.S. Embassy personnel. She will also speak with international partners who deliver humanitarian assistance and local media,” the Department said in a release.

The Department further said the Assistant Secretary also intends to meet  senior government officials to discuss issues of mutual concern on bilateral relationship between South Sudan and the United States.

“In Ethiopia, the Assistant Secretary will meet with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu and officials of the African Union Commission, as well as with Embassy personnel,” the release said.

Last month Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Affairs Tom Malinowski traveled to Ethiopia and met with prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn but left the country dodging the press.