U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant secretary for African affairs Ambassador Donald Y. Yamamoto has started off his tour of three East African Countries that was scheduled between April 22 –April 26th.
Ambassador Yamamoto, who arrived in Eritrea on Sunday will tour Djibouti and Ethiopia as part of his visit.
The Ethiopian visit is of particular interest to the U.S. and Mr. Yamamoto is expected to meet with Ethiopian government officials to discuss shared interests and concerns.
The Horn of Africa region has been one that has continually engaged the attention of the United States. Its relation with Ethiopia has largely been premised on anti-terrorism combat and need for democratic reforms.
Eritrea, meanwhile, continues to slam the United Nations Security Council and the United States in particular for the refusal to lift sanctions on Asmara over their purported support for Somalia insurgent group, Al Shabaab.
Djibouti on the other hand is seen as a key security ally of the West and other Asian giants, hosting a number of military bases. The U.S. also maintains special interest in Somalia where they continue to carry out air strikes against Al-Shabaab.
