John Kerry's Congratulation of Eritrean Independence Day changes nothing

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry 

John Kerry's Congratulation of Eritrean Independence Day changes nothing

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary John Kerry did something no senior U.S. official has done in quite some time: congratulate Eritrea. In his carefully worded short message, Kerry said:

On behalf of the American people, I welcome the opportunity to send my warmest wishes to the people of Eritrea on the 23rd anniversary of your independence which took place May 24. Know that the government and people of the United States stand beside you in your continued search for the promise of a free, prosperous, and democratic Eritrea.

Now compare this short congratulatory message to the one he said about Ethiopia the same day:

On behalf of the government and the people of the United States, I send my best wishes to the government and people of Ethiopia as you celebrate your national day on May 28.

It was a great pleasure to return to Addis Ababa earlier this month and see first-hand examples of the longstanding partnership between the United States and Ethiopia.

During a visit to Gandhi Memorial Hospital and a conversation with the doctors, nurses and patients there, I was moved and proud to see results of our joint efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.

I was also delighted to celebrate the impressive contributions to society of Ethiopian youth and look forward to welcoming several to the United States to participate in the Young African Leaders Initiative Summit.

These are just two examples of our support of Ethiopia’s peaceful and prosperous future. The United States is committed to promoting Ethiopia’s economic growth and development, democratic governance and respect for human rights, and peace and security in the region.

As you gather with family and friends on your national day, the government and people of the United States wish you a most festive celebration.

As expected, Kerry was careful not to congratulate the very government that brought Eritrea's independence to reality, while he shamelessly congratulated the Ethiopian regime despite this regime gunning down nearly 50 student protesters in Ambo just a day before his visit to Addis Ababa.

Kerry seems to think giving a congratulatory remark to the Eritrean people, all while his administration supports illegal sanctions against them, is going to win his regime hearts and minds.

If Kerry wants to appear to be sincere, he should follow in the footsteps of former U.S. government officials who genuinely seek or have worked to improve U.S.-Eritrea relations on the people and government level. Officials such as Ambassador Herman Cohen or the late congressmen Donald Payne, who visited Eritrea in 2007.

At any rate, Kerry's congratulation feels uncomfortably phony, and is a few days too late. More importantly, it will change nothing on the ground so long as Susan Rice continues to hold her personal vendettas against Eritrea and its people.

Ambassador Herman Cohen (center) attending Eritrean Independence Day celebrations in Washington D.C. 

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