What ...

Will John Kerry's visit to Ethiopia strengthen the ties between the two countries? Share your thought Yes No Neutral Vote View Results Total Answers 12 Total Votes 12 The U.S. secretary of state’s visit to Addis Ababa is a chance to pressure the government on its dreadful record on human rights. By MARTIN SCHIBBYE AND PATRICK GRIFFITH Published in The Wall Street Journal This month, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 21st African Union (AU) summit. The message he brings will speak volumes about the future of American engagement on the continent. In announcing the visit during a U.S. Senate hearing last month, Mr. Kerry expressed concern about the potentially negative impact of China’s and Iran’s increased presence in Africa. He noted that graft and poor development choices could undermine the stability of some African governments, and he acknowledged the need for more U.S. engagement. Further American cooperation on development and security would be good news for Africa. But the U.S. must continue to focus on another potentially destabilizing factor in the continent: ongoing violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.