Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Letter from Former Heads of African Bureau

Seven former Assistant Secretaries of State for African Affairs sent a letter on 22 June 2020 to David Hale, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, concerning efforts to mediate the dispute involving the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. 

The letter said the perception of U.S. partiality in favor of Egypt could further destabilize the delicate balance among the stakeholders.  The signatories encouraged the United States to help find a neutral and credible country outside Africa and the Middle East to mediate the disagreement.

The following former assistant secretaries signed the letter:  Johnnie Carson, Herman Cohen, Chester Crocker, Jendayi Frazer, George Moose, Susan Rice, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield.