Ethiopia, Kenya Advance Joint Defence Framework as First JDC Meeting Concludes

Addis Ababa, February 5, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia and Kenya have concluded the inaugural meeting of the Joint Defence Committee (JDC I), marking a key step in institutionalizing bilateral defence cooperation and strengthening coordinated security efforts in the region.

The three-day meeting, held in Nairobi, followed the signing of a Defence Cooperation Agreement last year, which established a structured framework for coordinating, managing, and deepening military relations between the two neighboring countries in pursuit of regional peace, stability, and collective security.

During the session, the two sides adopted the Joint Defence Committee’s Terms of Reference, a milestone that provides clear operational guidance for sustained and structured future engagements under the bilateral defence framework.

Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General of External Relations and Military Cooperation at the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), who led the Ethiopian delegation, said the defence relationship between Ethiopia and Kenya is founded on trust, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for regional peace and security.

He noted that the Joint Defence Committee has demonstrated effectiveness since its establishment and that the discussions held during the meeting would elevate the partnership and solidarity between the two countries to a higher level.

According to Major General Teshome, the evolving security situation in the region underscores the importance of joint engagement, adding that Ethiopia remains fully prepared to discharge its responsibilities in a responsible, diligent, and effective manner.

Reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to a collective security approach, he emphasized the importance of cohesion, intelligence sharing, and operational collaboration in maintaining peace along the shared border, particularly in addressing threats posed by terrorist networks. He also acknowledged the Kenya Defence Forces’ leading role in regional counter-terrorism efforts.

For his part, the head of the Kenyan delegation, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training (ACDF OPD&T), Major General Frederick Leuria, said Ethiopia and Kenya share a deep-rooted people-to-people relationship that dates back centuries.

He added that the two countries also maintain strong ties in trade, investment, and energy cooperation, noting that the Joint Defence Committee would play a vital role in further strengthening collaboration in peace and security for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Major General Leuria underscored that the long-standing partnership between Ethiopia and Kenya is built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common vision for regional prosperity. He stressed the need for proactive and coordinated responses to emerging security challenges, including terrorism, transnational crime, cyber threats, and climate-induced conflicts.

He further highlighted the importance of timely and actionable intelligence sharing as a cornerstone of effective defence cooperation, noting that enhanced coordination would strengthen joint efforts to counter terrorism, arms trafficking, contraband trade, and human smuggling along porous borders.

Major General Leuria also pointed to joint military training and defence industry cooperation as key enablers of interoperability, professionalism, innovation, and optimal use of limited resources in pursuit of long-term strategic objectives, the ENDF online media team told Fana Digital.