U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Ethiopia for security talks with regional officials and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the African Union.
Kerry's visit is expected to include talks on African and Western efforts to fight Islamist extremists in Mali and northern Nigeria.
During recent talks with Nigeria's foreign minister, Kerry reaffirmed U.S. support for Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram militants in the north, where a state of emergency has been declared.
In Mali, French troops are winding up an offensive against Islamist fighters who had seized control of the north. Analysts say the U.S. is looking to help provide counterinsurgency training to regional forces who are taking over.
Kerry will join African leaders and other foreign dignitaries Saturday at an AU summit that will celebrate 50 years of the pan-African organization, originally called the Organization of African Unity.
Kerry also will likely discuss violence along the fragile and undecided border of Sudan and South Sudan, where human rights groups have warned that outlawed militant groups are taking advantage of the instability.
Kerry's visit is expected to include talks on African and Western efforts to fight Islamist extremists in Mali and northern Nigeria.
During recent talks with Nigeria's foreign minister, Kerry reaffirmed U.S. support for Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram militants in the north, where a state of emergency has been declared.
In Mali, French troops are winding up an offensive against Islamist fighters who had seized control of the north. Analysts say the U.S. is looking to help provide counterinsurgency training to regional forces who are taking over.
Kerry will join African leaders and other foreign dignitaries Saturday at an AU summit that will celebrate 50 years of the pan-African organization, originally called the Organization of African Unity.
Kerry also will likely discuss violence along the fragile and undecided border of Sudan and South Sudan, where human rights groups have warned that outlawed militant groups are taking advantage of the instability.