News alert: Sec. Blinken, PM Hamdok discuss expansion of armed confrontation, Eritrean troops re-entering Ethiopia

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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to discuss shared concerns over the expansion of armed confrontation in the Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Tigray region, and reports of Eritrean troops re-entering Ethiopia, all of which impact regional stability. Secretary Blinken and PM Hamdok agreed to encourage all parties to enter negotiations toward a ceasefire, to engage in an inclusive political dialogue to preserve the unity and integrity of the Ethiopian state, and to allow full humanitarian access to those in need.  The Secretary and the Prime Minister also discussed progress in Sudan’s democratic transition and ways to expand U.S.-Sudanese relations.