Blinken set to visit Ethiopia in wake of war

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is set to visit Ethiopia next week to discuss the implementation of a landmark peace deal which has halted the country's civil war, the State Department said on Friday.

It’s not yet clear if he will travel to the war-torn northern region of Tigray.

The visit could be a positive sign for the country, which was hit by US sanctions as the war weakened ties between the once close allies.

Mr Blinken will also meet African Union head Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa to discuss "global and regional priorities," according to his office.

Ethiopia’s peace deal was signed in November between the government and fighters from the Tigray region following two years of conflict.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: Olivier Douliery/Pool Photo via AP