Addis Ababa, July 9, 2026 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Federal Police and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional security cooperation through joint training, research, and capacity-building initiatives.
The agreement was signed today by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and Ethiopian Federal Police Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael, establishing a framework for enhanced collaboration among law enforcement institutions in the IGAD region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Commissioner General Demelash said the partnership aligns with efforts to build the capacity of law enforcement institutions in East Africa and support regional peace and security.
He said the agreement will enable the Ethiopian Police University to expand its role in providing training, supporting research, facilitating knowledge exchange, and contributing to solutions for shared security challenges in the region.
The Commissioner General noted that the partnership will benefit IGAD member states by strengthening police capacity, improving professional training, advancing research cooperation, and enhancing community-oriented policing approaches.
He added that law enforcement institutions across the region will have opportunities to collaborate through scholarship programs, joint research initiatives, and coordinated efforts to combat terrorism and other forms of transnational crime.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu commended the progress and institutional development of the Ethiopian Federal Police, describing the agreement as an important step toward advancing regional integration through stronger cooperation among security institutions.
He said experience-sharing and joint efforts among law enforcement agencies are essential for addressing regional challenges and affirmed IGAD’s readiness to expand similar cooperation frameworks across other areas.
President of the Ethiopian Police University Tamrat Mulugeta said the institution currently offers more than 41 undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs, adding that its recent membership in the Interpol Global Academy Network demonstrates its growing role in advancing professional police education.
The partnership is expected to contribute to strengthening regional security institutions through joint training, improved investigative capacity, enhanced information exchange, and coordinated responses to security threats, in line with IGAD’s vision, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Ethiopian Federal Police’s 2030 strategic plan.