Mereja.Forum

The US State Department has declined to refute a report the Trump administration plans to withhold some foreign assistance to Ethiopia as a punitive measure for its rejection of the White House’s mediation in the Nile river dam dispute with Egypt and Sudan.

According to a report by Foreign Policy, US secretary of State Mike Pompeo has okayed a plan to withhold up to $130 million in foreign assistance slated for Ethiopia’s military and anti-human trafficking programs. The move will be seen in Ethiopia as a definite show of support for its rivals in the dispute, in particular Egypt.

Ethiopian authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

https://qz.com/africa/1897488/trump-to- ... ypt-sudan/

"President Donald Trump has shown a fondness for Sisi, reportedly calling him his “favorite dictator” during a G-7 summit last year. Officials familiar with negotiations said the Trump administration has not approved parallel cuts in foreign assistance to Egypt."

Guys don't' make a big deal 130 out of 800 million is not going to make Ethiopia abandon or give in to any kind of pressure. It is to show Egypt that it is trying its best, but I don't think it a wise move openly for State Department to be one-sided. They lose influence when the do that. As Meles used to say they can keep their money in their pocket. America has more national interest at stake to abandon Ethiopia for the fact that has already been established on the ground.