Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Ambassador Mike Hammer would succeed Ambassador David Satterfield as U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia will be an area of diplomatic concern under Hammer’s responsibility, according to his statement from the State Department June 1.
‘His appointment underscores our abiding commitment to diplomatic efforts in the region, most urgently in support of an inclusive political process towards peace, common security and prosperity for all people in Ethiopia,” Blinken said, according to the release.
Ambassador Hammer has a challenging road ahead of him as the new special envoy. His predecessor took on the job after Jeffrey Feltman quit over frustration with his efforts to transition Ethiopia and Sudan to a democracy, MSN reported. Feltman's plans were derailed by the military.
Adding to the difficulties, Ethiopia began an assault in the Tigray region in 2020, which has caused a brutal conflict leading to the displacement of more than two million people, MSN reported. Since March of this year, the United States has been providing aid to Ethiopia amidst fears of famine.
Sudan also will offer challenges. The country is in the midst of economic and political turmoil due to a coup that happened in October, The East African reported. Satterfield, whom Hammer is replacing, stepped down barely three months after taking the role, The East African article said.
Hammer was confirmed as the U.S Ambassador for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2018, according to his bio on the U.S. embassy’s website. He also worked as the ambassador to Chile 2014-16. He’s been an active diplomat since 1988, according to his bio.
