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Ethiopia and Kenya have taken a major step in strengthening their long-standing friendship by signing a new Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Addis Ababa. The pact, concluded on September 24, 2025, comes six decades after the first defense agreement signed in 1963, the year Kenya gained independence. The signing took place at Ethiopia’s National Defense Headquarters, following discussions between Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian Armed Forces, and Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Charles Kahariri.
The agreement is the result of a series of high-level engagements between the two countries, including meetings in both Nairobi and Addis Ababa. In one key meeting held in November last year, a Kenyan military delegation visited Ethiopia, where the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in training and joint security operations. These engagements have now paved the way for a formal framework that strengthens collaboration in various areas of defense and security.
Both nations already share close ties, ranging from diplomatic and political relations to cultural and economic connections. Their military cooperation has also been evident through their contributions to the African Union Stabilisation Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where they work side by side to address security threats in the Horn of Africa.
The newly signed DCA is expected to open a fresh chapter in this partnership. It sets out a structured framework that will make collaboration more effective and timely. The agreement covers intelligence sharing, joint military training, defense industry development, counter-terrorism, and border security, among other areas. It also emphasizes the importance of rapid intelligence exchange and joint exercises to ensure interoperability between the two armed forces.
General Kahariri highlighted that the pact is more than just a defense arrangement. He described it as an investment in innovation, resilient infrastructure, and industrial capacity that strengthens both countries’ ability to respond to regional challenges. According to him, the deal represents a spirit of African self-reliance, where countries can master their collective destiny through cooperation and shared action rather than relying on external actors.
Field Marshal Jula echoed these sentiments, stressing Ethiopia’s commitment to the partnership. He explained that the agreement reflects the deep-rooted ties between Ethiopia and Kenya, which share borders, history, and common challenges. He expressed confidence that the cooperation will not only boost peace and security within their countries but also contribute to stability and prosperity across the wider region.
The significance of this pact lies not just in military terms but also in the message it sends about unity in the face of common threats. The Horn of Africa has faced significant security challenges over the years, including terrorism, cross-border conflicts, and instability that often spills over from one country to another. By strengthening their defense cooperation, Ethiopia and Kenya are positioning themselves to respond more effectively to these challenges and to ensure that their citizens can live in peace and security.
This agreement marks the continuation of a journey that began over sixty years ago, when the two countries first signed a defense pact. Today, the renewal of that agreement signals not just continuity but growth—an evolution of cooperation that adapts to the current security landscape. With both nations determined to stand together, the DCA sets a strong foundation for shared progress and resilience in the years to come.