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Mike Hammer, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, is scheduled to meet officials in Djibouti, Qatar, and Ethiopia from December 7 to 17. During his visit to Djibouti, Ambassador Hammer is slated to partake in the 41st Extraordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly Heads of State and Government focused on Sudan.
The special envoy plans to engage in discussions with Djiboutian and Ethiopian officials. His primary objectives in Djibouti include endorsing regional and international endeavors to resolve the conflict in Sudan, where clashes between the country’s Rapid Support Forces led by General Dagalo advocate for transition, push for unimpeded humanitarian access, and support justice and accountability for victims of the violence.
Moving on to Qatar, Ambassador Hammer will actively participate in the Doha Forum. During his time in Qatar, he aims to hold discussions with Qatari officials on regional and international initiatives aimed at ending the ongoing violence in Sudan and fostering stability in the Horn of Africa.
In Ethiopia, Special Envoy Hammer has intentions to convene with African Union officials, aligning efforts on Sudan and addressing other regional priorities. His agenda in Ethiopia extends to urging officials to sustain efforts in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in northern Ethiopia. This includes advancing disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs in the northern Tigray region, as well as making progress in transitional justice and accountability.
Ambassador Hammer is expected to engage officials in Addis Ababa pressing them for a negotiated resolutions to ongoing violence in the Amhara and Oromia regions. In a recent congressional hearing with members of the House Foreign Relations Committee, the ambassador emphasized the importance of all parties protecting civilians, refraining from hate speech, and upholding human rights.
