Ethiopia and China have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation, with a focus on defense industry, technology transfer, and training. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Ethiopian Defense Minister, Mohamed Idris, and Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, in Addis Ababa on October 24, 2019. The two parties discussed ways to take their long-standing military and strategic partnership to the next level.

Minister Idris highlighted the fruitful partnership between Ethiopia and China in various fields, particularly in military industry, technology transfer, and training. He emphasized the need to further enhance cooperation in these areas, which would enable Ethiopia to bolster its national security and contribute to regional and global peace. Idris also noted that Ethiopia's efforts to safeguard its national interests are in line with international law and principles.

Ambassador Chen Hai reiterated China's commitment to strengthening its military and strategic partnership with Ethiopia. He expressed his country's interest in investing in Ethiopia's defense industry and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. Chen Hai also noted that China is eager to share its expertise and technology with Ethiopia to enhance its defense capabilities.

The meeting between Minister Idris and Ambassador Chen Hai is a significant development in the long-standing relationship between Ethiopia and China. The two countries have a history of cooperation in various fields, including defense, trade, and infrastructure development. The enhanced military cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on regional security and stability.

Ethiopia has been working to modernize its military and enhance its defense capabilities in recent years. The country has faced various security challenges, including terrorism and border disputes. The strengthened military cooperation with China is expected to help Ethiopia address these challenges and ensure its national security.

The agreement between Ethiopia and China is also seen as a significant development in the context of regional and global security. The two countries' cooperation is expected to contribute to the stability of the Horn of Africa and promote peace and security in the region. The international community has welcomed the development, seeing it as a positive step towards enhancing regional security.

The strengthened military cooperation between Ethiopia and China is expected to have far-reaching implications for the region. The two countries' partnership is likely to serve as a model for other countries in the region, demonstrating the benefits of cooperation and collaboration in addressing common security challenges.

Key points

  • Ethiopia and China have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation, with a focus on defense industry, technology transfer, and training.
  • The agreement was reached during a meeting between Ethiopian Defense Minister, Mohamed Idris, and Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, in Addis Ababa on October 24, 2019.
  • The enhanced military cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on regional security and stability.

Share this story

Written by

SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.