Brundian President Hails Ethiopian Defense Force as “Pride of Africa” During Visit to Defense Ministry

Addis Ababa, April 9, 2026 (FMC) — Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, on Thursday described the Ethiopian National Defense Force as a “pride of Africa” during his visit to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense.

Ndayishimiye, who is in Addis Ababa for an official working visit, toured the Ministry of Defense headquarters, where he was received by Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed and senior military officials.

During the visit, the Burundian leader and the minister held bilateral discussions focused on strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ndayishimiye said the Ethiopian defense force is not only safeguarding the country’s sovereignty but also serves as a source of pride for the African continent. He expressed appreciation for the force’s role in peacekeeping operations, including its contributions during unrest in Burundi between 2003 and 2006 under the African Union Mission in Burundi.

He further noted that the defense forces of Ethiopia and Burundi have jointly undertaken effective peacekeeping activities in Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia. He added that Ethiopia has been providing training and other forms of support to the Burundian military.

Ndayishimiye said his visit to the Ministry of Defense would help elevate military cooperation between the two countries to a higher level.

For her part, Aisha Mohammed said the visit reflects the strong partnership between Ethiopia and Burundi and provides an opportunity to further enhance cooperation and professional exchange between their defense institutions.

She underscored Ethiopia’s readiness to deepen collaboration in areas including military industry and joint training, noting that such cooperation is vital for ensuring mutual security and advancing shared responsibilities in maintaining regional peace.

The ENDF online media team told Fana Media Corporation that the engagement marks an important step in strengthening defense ties between the two countries.