Dejen Media (July 31)–In US Senate confirmed Thursday a group of State Department nominees, including several ambassadors. Among them is Ervin Jose Massinga, who has been confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The appointment of Ambassador Massinga comes at a crucial time as Ethiopia grapples with a deteriorating humanitarian situation and ongoing challenges in the region. With a background in public service and rich experience in the United States Foreign Service, Massinga is believed to bring a combination of expertise and dedication to his new role.

Massinga’s professional journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1993, followed by a Master of Public Policy from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington.

Having served in various roles across the globe, Massinga’s experience spans from Pakistan to Sudan, Guinea to the Dominican Republic, Chile to Ivory Coast, and China. His work has also touched vital bureaus like the Bureau of African Affairs, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and Bureau of Intelligence and Research.

President Joe Biden nominated him on January 3. After lengthy hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 16, 2023, Massinga’s nomination received a favorable report by the committee on June 1, 2023.

On July 27, 2023, the Senate confirmed Massinga as the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia. The appointment of Ambassador Massinga comes at a critical juncture for Ethiopia, with the country facing a complex humanitarian crisis and regional challenges.

During his Senate testimony on May 16, Ambassador Massinga addressed the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve his country. He highlighted his diverse family background and tradition of public service and emphasized Ethiopia’s importance as a strategic partner for the United States, acknowledging the challenges in the bilateral relationship. He praised diplomatic efforts leading to the cessation of hostilities agreement in November 2022 and emphasized the need for continued support to maintain peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Massinga also stressed the importance of transitional justice and accountability for atrocities committed during the conflict. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to protect and serve U.S. citizens in Ethiopia.

“We should support these efforts not just out of a commitment to peace and human rights, but also because a durable peace in Ethiopia will promote security throughout the Horn of Africa, making Americans at home and abroad safer,” he said in his testimony before the US Senate.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Tibor Nagy (@TiborPNagyJr) congratulated Massinga on his appointment on Twitter. “That vital nation has been too long without an accredited US Ambassador and it’s heartening to see an Africanist getting the post,” he tweeted.

The US Embassy in Addis is headed by Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, who has been serving as Chargé d’Affaires in Addis Ababa on February 25, 2022 to begin her assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia. Ambassador Massinga is expected to take over from Jacobson soon.