U.S. announces new special envoy for Horn of Africa

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON DC: The Biden administration has appointed Mike Hammer as the new special envoy to the volatile Horn of Africa region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.

Blinken said the previous envoy, David Satterfield, was preparing to leave his post but did not give a date. 

Hammer will take up the position at a time of persistent turmoil in the region, including conflict in Ethiopia that has sparked accusations of atrocities on both sides, and economic and political turmoil in Sudan following an October coup.

His appointment underscores our abiding commitment to diplomatic efforts in the region, most urgently in support of an inclusive political process toward peace, common security, and prosperity for all people in Ethiopia,” Blinken said.

Hammer is the U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a position to which he was confirmed in 2018, according to the embassy, and previously served as U.S. ambassador to Chile. He has held various other roles at the State Department and the White House.

Satterfield, a long-time career diplomat with decades of experience, had replaced Jeffrey Feltman, another veteran U.S. diplomat who had stepped down at the end of last year after about nine months in the job. Feltman continues to serve in an advisory capacity