What You Need to Know
A recent report indicates that the US has requested Ethiopia to contribute troops to a proposed international security force for Gaza. This request, made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of a broader 20-point plan aimed at reconstruction and economic recovery in the region following extensive destruction from conflict.
Africa. A report from a local source, citing Western diplomatic sources, reveals that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to consider contributing troops to a proposed international security force for Gaza.
The request was made earlier this week as part of Washington’s efforts to form an international force outlined in a 20-point plan proposed by former President Donald Trump regarding Gaza.
According to the plan, the international security force is expected to oversee a transitional phase focused on reconstruction and economic recovery in the Palestinian territories, which have suffered extensive damage due to over two years of devastating conflict.
This international force is one of the items included in Trump’s plan, which formed the basis for the ceasefire agreement currently in place between Israel and Hamas since October 10. This agreement ended a war that resulted in the deaths of approximately 71,000 Palestinians and injured over 171,000, most of whom were women and children, while destroying nearly 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the region.
The report highlights that the United States is facing challenges in securing international commitments for participation in this force, as many countries express reservations, particularly concerning the stated goal of disarming Hamas in Gaza.
Sources indicate that these concerns complicate efforts to finalize the composition of the force, even at the planning stage.
As of now, there has been no official comment from the Ethiopian government or the US State Department regarding the alleged request.
In a related context, an Ethiopian news outlet reported on December 4, citing a statement from the US State Department, that Rubio had a phone call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in an unusually narrow diplomatic conversation that did not address Ethiopian internal affairs, which is notable given the ongoing political, security, and humanitarian crises in the country.
According to the department, the discussion focused exclusively on the shared commitment between the United States and Ethiopia to support regional stability and build foundations for peace in the Horn of Africa.
Observers noted that the absence of any reference to internal governance issues, human rights, or political tensions represents a rare departure from the usual pattern in official statements regarding US-Ethiopian calls.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with thousands of casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The proposed international force is part of a larger initiative by the US to stabilize the region and facilitate reconstruction efforts. This follows a ceasefire agreement established on October 10, which aimed to halt hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
