Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia visited Ethiopia from September 2 to 6, 2026, to advance U.S. commercial diplomacy, security cooperation and regional stability.

In Addis Ababa, Garcia met Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos to discuss de-escalating conflicts in the Horn of Africa, implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and supporting regional peace efforts. He also met African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Pekka Haavisto to promote peace, humanitarian access and a truce in Sudan.

At the Bishoftu International Airport construction site, Garcia and Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele discussed fleet modernization with U.S. aircraft and services. Garcia emphasized American investment and technology as central to the airport’s development, with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation planning significant financing for small and medium enterprises around the project.

In Oromia, Garcia toured modern farms and a John Deere partner in Shashemene, highlighting demand for U.S. agricultural technology and job creation. He also met the American Chamber of Commerce to expand cooperation in aviation and critical minerals.

Heart to Heart Children’s Aid has announced the successful completion of its first round of free pediatric cardiac surgeries, providing life-saving operations to 60 children at Jimma University Hospital.

The milestone marks the initial phase of an ambitious national campaign to deliver free heart surgeries to 1,000 children within a single year. Prior to the operations, over 200 children underwent comprehensive cardiac ultrasound (Echo) screenings at the facility based on an established queue system. Beyond providing critical medical relief to vulnerable families and easing the heavy emotional and financial toll on mothers, the initiative focuses heavily on local capacity building and knowledge transfer, empowering regional public hospitals and medical professionals to independently sustain cardiac care services.

Founder and Board Chairman Birhan Tedla outlined that the initiative will expand throughout the upcoming year to 10 regional public hospitals across various regional cities to reach the remaining 940 children. The program aims to bridge healthcare disparities by bringing specialized treatment directly to patients who cannot afford the journey or transport to Addis Ababa.