Ethiopia and Kenya have signed a new defense cooperation agreement.
This new accord aims to deepen their strategic partnership in several areas, including intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, training, and the development of the defense industry.
The signing took place following a bilateral meeting between Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), and General Charles Muriu Kahariri, Chief of the Kenyan Defense Forces.
In a statement, the ENDF indicated that this agreement builds on longstanding defense ties and establishes a strategic cooperation framework on major security issues.
“Unlike an ordinary agreement, a DCA is signed when a full relationship of trust between the parties has been established,” the Ethiopian army noted.
Speaking at the ceremony, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula emphasized the historical ties linking the two countries, recalling their long-standing military cooperation. He added that the new agreement will expand collaboration in intelligence, joint exercises, training, military industrial development, counter-terrorism, and border security.
For his part, General Kahariri highlighted that the relations between Ethiopia and Kenya are based not only on history, but also on deep cultural, geographic, and human ties.
He stated that this new agreement “will bring significant benefits for peace and stability across the region,” reiterating Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with Ethiopian forces in the coming years.
