U.S. Horn of Africa Envoy Mike Hammer to Depart Amid Criticism and Rising Tensions in East Africa

Washington, D.C. The U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, is set to leave his post to become the next U.S. chief of mission in Cuba, three U.S. officials have confirmed. Hammer, who took on the role in 2022, has been the face of U.S. efforts to manage the Horn’s escalating crises, including the aftermath of Ethiopia’s northern region war and Sudan’s civil war. His departure comes as war intensifies in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, a situation experts warn could spiral into a major humanitarian disaster.

However, Hammer’s tenure has drawn criticism from regional analysts and human rights advocates, who accuse him of bias and complicity in alleged abuses and war crimes against the Amhara community in Ethiopia. Critics argue that, instead of advancing peace and U.S. interests, Hammer has favored the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a group accused of severe atrocities. Human rights advocates are now calling on Washington to reassess this diplomatic strategy, warning that perceived partiality may have deepened regional tensions rather than alleviating them.

While the Biden administration has yet to announce Hammer’s successor, his appointment to Cuba will place him in a country facing severe economic strain, infrastructure breakdowns, and rising migration. Hammer’s new role signals a shift amid ongoing scrutiny over U.S. diplomatic strategies in both the Horn of Africa and the Caribbean.