Congressman Steven Horsford Urges Secretary Mnuchin and Pompeo to Reconsider Plans to Halt Foreign Assistance

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of State Secretary Mike Pompeo and Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to reconsider any plans to cease U.S. foreign assistance to Ethiopia, in an attempt to mediate disputes with Egypt and Sudan over the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

"The filling of the Ethiopian dam is expected to contribute greatly to the country's socio-economic wellbeing and seeks to improve the quality of life for its people. Halting foreign assistance to Ethiopia as the country pursues this massive infrastructure project will be detrimental to regional stability and the future of the country's development. Additionally, the decision to cut aid would potentially inflame already tense relations between Ethiopia and Egypt and Sudan and unilaterally betray our promise as impartial observers," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "I urge Secretary Pompeo and Mnuchin to continue foreign aid to Ethiopia so we can maintain our long-standing relationship with the country and its people."

In March, Congressman Horsford questioned Secretary Mnuchin on conflicting reports of the Secretary's bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Water Resources of Egypt and Sudan on the filling and operation of the GERD.

The full text of the letter can be found here or below.

September 21, 2020

Dear Secretary Pompeo and Mnuchin:

I write to raise significant concerns on the plan to halt U.S. foreign assistance to Ethiopia and the mediation efforts from the Administration regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). I urge you to remain neutral during the country's negotiating process regarding GERD and to promote stability and better dialogue among the countries in the region.

You may recall the March 4, 2020 Ways and Means hearing with Secretary Mnuchin, in which I raised conflicting reports on bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Water Resources of Egypt and Sudan. I have been following the issue closely, and it is my understanding that the filling and operation of the GERD is crucial to the regional stability and of great importance to the people of Ethiopia. Moreover, cuts to foreign aid could potentially impact the country's negotiations with Egypt and Sudan.

The concept of the Ethiopian dam dates back to the 1960's, but the country was not able to break ground until 2011. Through small individual donations, the Ethiopian people were able to raise $4.6 billion for the project. Making the massive infrastructure project an important point of patriotism to Ethiopian citizens.

However, plans to halt U.S. foreign assistance to Ethiopia proceeds could affect up to nearly $130 million in U.S. foreign assistance to the region. "Programs that will be affected by this plan include security assistance, counterterrorism and military education and training, anti-human trafficking programs, and broader development assistance funding." According to State Department data, in fiscal year 2019 "the United States provided a total of $824.3 million in assistance to Ethiopia, of which $497.3 million was humanitarian aid."

I believe any cuts to foreign assistance to the region will have a negative impact on the Ethiopian community, and that is why I am asking you to reconsider any plans to halt foreign assistance. I am ready to continue working with you to support any efforts to continue a long-standing relationship with Ethiopia. I look forward to continued discussions on this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Steven Horsford (NV-04)