US officials visited Dire Dawa and Harar

Ambassador Tracey Jacobson, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, and USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Sean Jones travelled to Dire Dawa and Harar to meet with government officials and visit U.S. government-funded projects last week.
While in Dire Dawa, Ambassador Jacobson met with Kedir Juhar, the mayor of Dire Dawa, and discussed strengthening people-to-people relations and deepening economic and cultural ties. They also discussed efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. In Harar, the Ambassador and Mr. Jones met with President Ordin Bedri, Harari People’s National Regional State President and discussed ways the United States and the local community can partner to advance peace and build even stronger ties. They participated in a tour of the ancient walled city of Harar, hosted by representatives of the regional president’s office.
In both meetings with regional leaders, Ambassador Jacobson reiterated the need for: durable solutions to end hostilities in northern Ethiopia, sustained humanitarian assistance for all Ethiopians in need, and accountability for human rights abuses.