Ethiopian PM Abiy Meets Senior AFRICOM General to Discuss Sea Access Bid and Regional Security

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior military officials met on Tuesday in Addis Ababa with General Dagvin R. M. Anderson from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), holding talks focused on Ethiopia’s push for sea access and wider regional security cooperation.

In a brief statement shared on social media, Abiy said he had “welcomed General Anderson” and described their discussion as “productive,” noting that they exchanged views on regional security and future areas of cooperation. He added that more details will be released later.

A separate communiqué from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that General Anderson also met Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces. The ministry said the two sides reviewed stability in the Horn of Africa and the future of Ethiopia–U.S. military relations.

According to the statement, Field Marshal Birhanu told the U.S. delegation that Ethiopia’s quest for sea access is “peaceful and aimed at economic growth,” stressing that Addis Ababa prefers to pursue its maritime interests through dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation.

The ministry added that General Anderson expressed support for Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to the sea “peacefully,” noting that a direct route to the Red Sea could allow Ethiopia to play a bigger role in regional stability. He also reportedly pledged to raise the matter with officials in Washington, alongside Ethiopia’s broader plans for enhancing peace in the Horn of Africa.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaboration against terrorist networks operating in the region, with both sides agreeing to strengthen joint counterterrorism efforts.