The First Ethio‑Kenya Joint Defense Committee (JDC) meeting, held at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, concluded successfully, with officials reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing regional security coordination.
The session focused on strategic military engagement held on Thursday, February 5, aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Major General Teshome Gemechu, head of the Ethiopian delegation, highlighted the robust trust‑based relations between the Ethiopian and Kenyan defence forces and emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing shared security challenges.
He underscored the need to maintain momentum in joint defence efforts despite external pressures. Major General Frederick Leuria of Kenya noted that longstanding links in trade, investment and people‑to‑people ties complement the military partnership, reinforcing mutual benefits across sectors.
The meeting builds on a defence cooperation agreement signed last year, which established a structured framework for ongoing collaboration in pursuit of regional peace and collective security.