Ethiopia and the US have agreed to take their defence relationship into a new phase following high-level Pentagon talks….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Ethiopia and the United States have agreed to elevate their defence and diplomatic cooperation following high-level consultations at the Pentagon, as Addis Ababa seeks to strengthen strategic coordination with Washington.
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense, visited the United States from August 19-20 and held talks with senior US defence officials.
The consultations were co-led by Teshome and Brian J. Ellis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for African Affairs at the Pentagon.
The two sides agreed to expand institutional cooperation and strengthen strategic coordination between their defence establishments, with the partnership focused on protecting national interests and delivering mutual benefits.
Ethiopia and the US also agreed to build greater mutual trust and strengthen cooperation aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.
Teshome and Ellis reaffirmed their commitment to swiftly implementing the frameworks agreed during the consultations and advancing the bilateral defence relationship towards a more strategic and future-oriented partnership.
The Ethiopian delegation also held discussions with other senior US defence officials and conducted visits to US defence institutions during its two-day stay.
For Ethiopia, the talks provide an opportunity to reinforce defence and diplomatic engagement with Washington while positioning regional peace and security as a key area of bilateral cooperation.
The agreement also signals Addis Ababa’s intention to deepen institutional ties with the US as Ethiopia continues to engage with international partners on security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
