Claim: Blinken is heading to Ethiopia

Question

Secretary of State Blinken heading to #Ethiopia and #Niger next week.

Answer 1

This is true. 

Source from Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/blinken-travel-ethiopia-niger-march-14-19-state-dept-2023-03-10/)

WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Ethiopia next week, the State Department said on Friday, as concerns linger over the implementation of the peace agreement following the conflict in the Tigray region that left tens of thousands dead and millions uprooted.

The visit, set as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed works to reestablish himself on the world stage following the two-year Tigray war, comes as foreign troops remain within the region and bureaucratic hurdles hamper the humanitarian response."

A second source from The National News (https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2023/03/10/antony-blinken-to-visit-ethiopia-and-niger/) 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Ethiopia and Niger next week as President Joe Biden's administration accelerates a push to engage with Africa to counter China’s growing influence, the State Department said on Friday.

Both sources confirm that Blinken will be traveling to Ethiopia as soon as next week.

Comments

I like that you found two sources that hadn't been used in the claim or the other fact-check. And you extracted valuable information from each to include in your explanation. Good job!

Answer 2

According to the state.gov, which posted a press statement on March 10, 2023 from Ned Price, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, this is true. Coming from this credible source it is saying Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken will travel to Ethiopa and Niger March 14-17, 2023. During his trip he is supposed to be discussing hostilities agreements to promote peace and promote transitional justice in the northern region of Ethiopia. He will also be discussing humanitarian assistance delivery, food security and human rights.

This will also be the first visit to Niger by any U.S. Secretary of State. He will also be meeting with President Mohamad Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in Niamey to discuss ways to advance U.S. and Niger partnership on a variety of topics. He will also be furthering U.S. and Africa Leaders Summit collaboration relating to global and regional peace, as well as the current climate crisis.

I could not find any information that said otherwise about his visit not being factual and as this is coming from the state.gov website, this is factual information.

https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-travel-to-ethiopia-and-niger/

Comments

Great work going to the source that is mentioned and shown in the claim -- the State Department. You could also dig a bit deeper and check if the media covered the topic. I found quite a few articles discussing the trip. I like that you elaborated on the claim and included why Blinken is traveling to Africa and the purpose of his trip.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/blinken-travel-ethiopia-niger-march-14-19-state-dept-2023-03-10/
https://apnews.com/article/us-blinken-ethiopia-eritrea-tigray-niger-5ab29c4ed8fb01eb205ffb7a31c2529a