
US Embassy Addis Ababa
November 6, 2019
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, culminated a multi-country East Africa regional visit in Ethiopia, where he met with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and General Berhanu Jula, Deputy Chief of Staff & Head of the Military Operations Division of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), Nov. 6.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Abiy, he discussed security cooperation endeavors with Ethiopia, African Union missions, and long-term stability in East Africa.
“Ethiopia plays a critical and significant leadership role in the region, and across the continent,” said Townsend. “It has taken the initiative with effective counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations. These efforts, along with their willingness to develop and enhance security capabilities, have helped create a safer region.”
Townsend highlighted Ethiopia’s initiative in hosting AFRICOM-sponsored exercise Justified Accord in 2019 and 2020. These training exercises enable regional leaders to come together around common practices and challenges related to African Union peacekeeping in Somalia.
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor, accompanied Townsend during his meetings. Afterward, Raynor noted the commander’s visit underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting the unprecedented reform effort underway in Ethiopia.
“As Ethiopia continues down the road of reform, its ability to bolster regional stability, while also safeguarding the Ethiopian peoples’ rights and security, will be crucial,” said Raynor. “We are pleased to partner with the ENDF as they strengthen their capability to play these important roles.”

Townsend also discussed with the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Jessye Lapenn the U.S.’s partnership with the African Union and our efforts to advance security on the continent. Lapenn observed, “the AFRICOM Commander’s visit reflects the strong U.S. commitment to working in partnership with the AU on Africa-led efforts to create a peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent through effective conflict prevention and response.”
Townsend added that meetings with Ethiopian leadership focused on the positive progression of relationships with bordering countries and how strengthening those relationships is key to future collaboration on regional security issues.
Townsend also observed exercise Cutlass Express in Djibouti and visited Somalia during his second East Africa regional visit since taking command in July.
Related reading : US embassy in Addis Ababa issued another security alert for citizens in Ethiopia
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really manin niw yihon alamaw? Befit ke tplf gar mesrat ahun demo ke olf gar mesrat. Wana alama Abay Wenz, Abay Wenz, Abay Wenz.
Great test for Abiy is Egypt .The rest we took care of it , Nephtegna is not going to make a comeback. We make sure we screen out the Menilik sefari nephtegna is put down.
Abiy or whoever is not deciding for us, we struggled brought this to make sure no nephtegna takes a foot hold.
Egypt diplomacy about the dam may or should prove Abiy’s greatness on, the other inner stuff about nephtegna menilik sefari we make sure the rule of a gun nephtegna will not return nomatter how much they are still trying.
They like every leader as long as they could steal info , money and weaken a strong country.
If you tell them abiy is a dictator , they will not hesitate to see a country being divided and produce refugees
At the same time,they will sneak around in the name of peace keepers which is means to make money while poor mena are suffering. They provide false info to thier tax payers , thier own citizens.
we have damn evil citizens and officials working for them .
The Ethiopian political reforms and the Ethiopian economic reforms are beloved to be helping to sprint the development of Ethiopia, since Ethiopia is ready to put the youth to work by attracting international investors .
ethiopianreporter.com/index.php/article/17074
Raugal
The rule of law is a pre requisite for development.
Hidassie Telecom Company is expected to assist in intercepting communications between the Querro terror networks.
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