Addis Ababa, June 02, 2022 (Walta) – The United States of America has appointed Ambassador Michael (Mike) Hammer as US Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa.
“As Ambassador David Satterfield prepares to step down from the role, I am announcing that Ambassador Mike Hammer will succeed him as U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa,” said US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
“I am grateful to Ambassador Satterfield for the experience and determination he brought to the role, and I look forward to the energy and vision that Ambassador Hammer will now lend to our efforts in the Horn of Africa, “he added.
According US Secretary of State, the appointment of Ambassador Michael Hammer underscores US abiding commitment to diplomatic efforts in the region, most urgently in support of an inclusive political process towards peace, common security, and prosperity for all people in Ethiopia.
This Administration remains firmly focused on a cessation of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, transparent investigations into violations and human rights abuses by all actors, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
Michael (Mike) A. Hammer is a senior Foreign Service diplomat who began his diplomatic career in 1988. He was U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo since September 6, 2018. He also served as U.S. ambassador to Chile from 2014-2016. Prior to his appointment in Chile, Ambassador Hammer served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from March 2012 to August 2013. He also served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
He had been serving as the Acting Senior Vice President of the National Defense University (NDU). He previously served as the Deputy Commandant of NDU’s Eisenhower School and was additionally dual-hatted as the Vice Chancellor of the College of International Security Affairs.
Before joining the Bureau of Public Affairs, Ambassador Hammer served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director for Press and Communications, and National Security Council Spokesman from January 2009 to January 2011. He previously served at the National Security Council as Deputy Spokesman from 1999 to 2000 and as the Director of Andean Affairs from 2000 to 2001.
Ambassador Hammer’s overseas postings include Bolivia, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.