US Visa restrictions on Ethiopian Officials signals jeopardy to African Policy interests

Addis Ababa, May 25, 2021 (FBC) – In the biweekly press briefing, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti said that the visa restrictions the United States government has announced on Ethiopian officials signifies that the decision endangers policy interests of the African Continent.

The decision made to impose the visa restriction is not in commensurate with the relations between Ethiopia and the U.S. that has lasted for 120 years.

The decision may bring about a zero sum game situation to the long standing relationships between the two countries, he added.

Ambassador Dina said the visa restriction may jeopardizes the horn region besides potential pressures it may cause to Ethiopia calling decision groundless and unacceptable.

He added that the decision made by the U.S. didn’t consider Ethiopia’s commitment in allowing unfettered access to international media to observe the humanitarian situation in Tigray region.

The allegation from some international media as if Ethiopia is using chemical weapons in Tigray is groundless and a mere false accusation to fuel the situation, he added.