PM Abiy Meets AFRICOM Commander on Bilateral, Regional Security

By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali today met with General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. 

General Langley’s visit aligns with “AFRICOM’s continuous engagement with African partners to address shared security challenges, including counterterrorism efforts and fostering regional stability.”  AFRICOM’s strategy emphasizes an “African-led, U.S.-enabled” approach, aimed at enhancing the capacity of African nations to manage their own security concerns.

The relationship between Ethiopia and the United States, which formally commenced in 1903, has been marked by significant military cooperation over many decades. A key aspect of this historical partnership was the 1953 mutual defense assistance agreement, through which the U.S. provided military equipment and training. Ethiopia also hosted Kagnew Station, a U.S. communication facility near Asmara when Eritrea was part of Ethiopia before its secession in 1991. 

During the Cold War, Ethiopia emerged as a major recipient of U.S. military assistance in Africa, receiving more aid between 1950 and 1970 than all other African nations combined. The strategic partnership ended during colonel Mengistu Hailemariam’s government.  In the post-9/11 era, Ethiopia became a strategic partner for the U.S. again in the “Global War on Terrorism”, with the U.S. providing security aid and training to Ethiopian troops, particularly for counterterrorism efforts in Somalia.

Beyond military ties, the U.S. stands as the largest donor to Ethiopia, offering substantial assistance in a range of development areas such as health, education, agriculture, and humanitarian assistance. While security cooperation remains a crucial element, the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship has also navigated complexities, including past concerns over human rights, especially of the ongoing conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions. 

Edited by Dimetros Birku 

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