Ethiopia and Zambia have strengthened their longstanding ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in Addis Ababa. The agreement expands collaboration in military training, education, intelligence exchange, and defence-industry development.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Maambo Hamaundu, signed on behalf of Zambia, while Ethiopia was represented by State Minister of Defence, Marta Liwiji.
Both officials hailed the MoU as a milestone aligned with the two nations’ shared vision for peace, stability and mutual development.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, Deputy Ambassador Tom Michelo, senior defence-legal officers, and high-ranking members of the Ethiopian National Defence Force.
According to the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, the new partnership builds on the warm and historic relations between the two countries.
Ethiopia supported Zambia’s independence struggle in the 1960s, and the two nations later worked closely through the Organisation of African Unity—now the African Union—to promote continental peace, security, and development.
Their cooperation has continued through political engagements, trade, regional peacekeeping, and sectoral partnerships in civil aviation, agriculture, and capacity-building.
Ethiopian Airlines remains a key strategic partner in Zambia’s regional connectivity, reflecting the depth of bilateral ties.
The Defence Cooperation MoU marks a new chapter, reinforcing shared priorities in safeguarding regional stability, tackling emerging security challenges, and advancing the professional development of both armed forces.
Source : Pulse of Africa
