Ethiopia and Djibouti enhance military cooperation

ADDIS ABABA - The governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti have reinforced their ties through strategic military cooperation, at a time the Horn of Africa is facing existential threats from rising insurgency and terrorism that could destabilize the region.

At the 11th regular Joint Defence Committee meetings between Ethiopia and Djibouti in Addis Abeba, senior military officials from the two countries discussed security cooperation and future collaboration on matters of defence.

The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of the peace and security operations agreed upon in the previous meeting, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) said in a statement. It also aims to “set strategic directions to enhance bilateral military cooperation.”

Major General Teshome Gemechu, the Director General of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense, and Major General Abdurahman Abdi, Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Djiboutian Armed Forces, chaired the meeting.

Also in attendance is Major General Tesfaye Woldemariam, Ethiopia’s Military Attaché to Djibouti, Addis Standard reports.

Welcoming the Djiboutian delegation, Maj. Gen. Teshome described Ethiopia and Djibouti as nations bound by “ancient, historical, cultural, and economic ties,” and referred to Ethiopia as the delegation’s “second home.”

In response, Maj. Gen. Abdurahman Abdi expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by the host country. Ethiopia and Djibouti closely work on matters of security, defence, and trade, with Addis Ababa relying on the Port of Djibouti for exports and imports.

The Joint Defense Committee, which convenes periodically, “plays a key role in reinforcing the longstanding relationship and regional security collaboration between the two countries”, according to ENDF.

In recent months, Ethiopia has been at loggerheads with some of its neighbors, including Eritrea and Somalia, as it seeks access to the sea, besides the installation of critical military hardware across the Horn of Africa. This has triggered tensions in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE