President Kagame Meets Ethiopian Military Chief as Rwanda and Ethiopia Reaffirm Defence Ties and Regional Security Cooperation

President Paul Kagame today met with Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), as part of his ongoing working visit to Rwanda, taking place from 13 to 16 April 2025.

The high-level meeting follows earlier engagements held yesterday between the Ethiopian delegation and senior officers of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), including Chief of Defence Staff General MK Mubarakh, at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura.

Field Marshal Birhanu also paid a courtesy call on Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda.

The visit aims to deepen the strong bilateral ties between Rwanda and Ethiopia, particularly in the areas of defence cooperation, military exchange, and regional stability.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, both sides also addressed the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — a growing concern for both nations.

Ethiopia, a long-standing ally of Rwanda, views the security situation in eastern DRC as a serious regional threat.

Both countries share a deep understanding of the need for coordinated efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region, particularly as tensions and instability continue to spill across borders.

This visit also builds on the recent trip by General Mubarakh to Ethiopia on 13 March 2025, during which a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation was signed, laying the groundwork for enhanced collaboration between the two militaries.

Field Marshal Birhanu is also expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The visit underscores the enduring partnership between Rwanda and Ethiopia, rooted in mutual respect, shared security interests, and a collective vision for peace in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.