The United States federal government has approved a plan to reduce the amount of foreign assistance they provide to Ethiopia, there closest ally in the volatile Horn of Africa.

According to a report published on the online news magazine dubbed “Foreign Policy”, The US will be cutting 130 million dollars worth of aid to the country as a result of Ethiopia’s decision to file the GERD without reaching an agreement with other stakeholders such as Egypt and Sudan.

The decision to drastically cut aid was made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The cuts will effect a number of programs, particularly in the security sector. Counter terrorism and military training are expected to be the worst hit fields, as the reduced funding from the US will be a blow to joint US-Ethiopia security endeavors.

This latest move by the United States, comes as a surprise to many, knowing Ethiopia has been America’s regional ally and proxy in the region for a number of decades. Ethiopia, along with Sudan and Egypt are stakeholders in the Blue Nile river and therefore have been at odds over sharing control of the river.

In July Ethiopia went forward with its controversial initiative to begin filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which would come at the expense of other stakeholders, particularly Egypt and spark blow back from the US.

Ethiopia’s premier Abiy Ahmed was warmed on numerous occasions about filling the GERD without reaching a consensus with other stakeholders but didn’t listen and chose the path of populism and began filling the GERD as of mid July.

The authorities in Addis Ababa where anticipating a response from Egypt but what they didn’t expect was the US to retaliate by drastically reducing foreign aid at a time in which Ethiopia is facing economic hardship and a nation wide rebellion.

The decision by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, further proves the notion that in the world of international relations they’re aren’t any true allies, just interest and Ethiopia found out the hard way. In the eyes of the White House, prime minister Abiy Ahmed remains a disposable commodity.

Halgan Media Service Desk.