Ethiopia, US Deepen Defence Ties With Focus on Regional Security and Counterterrorism

July 29, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia and the United States have reaffirmed plans to strengthen defence cooperation, with senior military officials from both countries identifying counterterrorism, regional security and long-term military capacity building as shared priorities during talks in Addis Ababa. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, chief of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) General Staff, met General Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), following the African Logistics and Communications Symposium hosted in the Ethiopian capital.

According to the ENDF, the discussions focused on expanding bilateral military cooperation, enhancing regional security and identifying future areas of collaboration. The two sides also reviewed joint efforts to combat terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab and Islamic State affiliates operating in Somalia, agreeing that counterterrorism operations should continue to be strengthened.

The meeting comes at a time of heightened attention to security in the Horn of Africa after the United States announced it would discontinue financial support for the African Union's mission in Somalia, a decision that prompted concerns from several organisations that reduced funding could weaken regional efforts against extremist groups. The ENDF said the dialogue also centred on developing sustainable and modern defence capabilities rather than limiting cooperation to joint military operations, describing the approach as part of a broader commitment by both countries to address security challenges across the continent.

General Anderson praised Ethiopia's contribution to regional peace and stability and its role in bringing African countries together on security issues, the Ethiopian military said. It added that the joint organisation of the symposium reflected the level of defence cooperation between Addis Ababa and Washington. Major General Teshome Gemechu, the ENDF's director-general for foreign relations and military cooperation, described the talks as productive and said they would further reinforce the longstanding defence partnership between Ethiopia and the United States.

The symposium, jointly organised by AFRICOM and the ENDF, brought together senior military leaders from across Africa to exchange experience, introduce new technologies and strengthen the logistics and communications capabilities of African defence institutions. Opening the event, Anderson described logistics and communications as essential to military operations, saying no mission could succeed without them. According to AFRICOM, the symposium was designed to address longstanding gaps in both areas. AFRICOM said Africa continues to face multiple security threats, including terrorism, transnational crime and internal instability, arguing that experience has shown such challenges cannot be effectively addressed by countries acting independently.

Source: FSX Business News