U.S pondering to reinstate Ethiopia into AGOA after full implementation of CoHA: Blinken

Addis Ababa March 16, 2023 (FBC) – The U.S Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken disclosed the possibility of Ethiopia being reinstated into the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after full implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA).

In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, the U.S Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken said that his country is working with the Ethiopian Government on the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement which encourages the U.S to strengthen its partnership with Ethiopia including the economic development of Ethiopia.

Secretary Blinken indicated his country’s willingness to reinstate Ethiopia into AGOA after full implementation of the agreement and sustainable work by all concerned parties,

The Secretary of State also welcomed the transitional justice system put in place by the Ethiopian Government.
“When it comes to AGOA, under the law we suspended Ethiopia more than a year ago because of human rights violations in Tigray [region]. There is a clear pathway back to AGOA and the work that has been done to implement the agreement very much moving Ethiopia along that path”, Secretary Blinken stated.

The agreement and its implementations so far are very significant and is an important progress in saving and changing lives, he said adding the fact that the activities to implement the agreement by the Ethiopian Government are commendable.

“Guns are silent, humanitarian assistance is moving into Tigray [region], services are being restored, TPLF is putting down its weapons, other forces are departing, and the Ethiopian Government is also including the transitional justice system along with the implementations of the agreement which shows the commitment of all concerned in implementing the agreement”, the Secretary of State indicated.

The Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States maintained a long-standing partnership with Ethiopia and its people, recalling the $3 billion humanitarian assistance in 2022 and the new additional $331 million humanitarian assistance.
By: Yonathan Yoseph