Whereas the first pillar of the 2012 United States Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa is to strengthen democratic institutions; Whereas the third pillar of the 2012 United States Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa is to advance peace and security; Whereas Ethiopia is one of the top troop contributing countries to the United Nations peacekeeping missions, providing over 8,000 soldiers to United Nations missions around the world; Whereas Ethiopia has contributed over 4,000 troops to the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM); Whereas the Government of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the United States Government, trained the National Army for Somalia, supported the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, and deployed its troops in support of regional protection force in South Sudan; Whereas the close cooperation and strategic partnership between the United States of America and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been built on over a century of close cooperation and support; Whereas the Government of Ethiopia continues to play a crucial role in Africa and specifically in East Africa, and the partnership in counter­terrorism activities with the United States is vital for regional peace and stability; Whereas the United States has welcomed Ethiopia's participation in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS; Whereas the United States held a Strategic Dialogue with Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on July 27, 2015, during the visit by President Barack Obama to strengthen the bilateral relationship; Whereas respect for democracy, inclusive governance, human rights, and civil liberties have been core pillars of United States foreign policy; Whereas the Government of Ethiopia expressed its commitment to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights by taking necessary measures to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan adopted by the House of Peoples Representative of the FDRE