African Defense Ministers Praise Ethiopia’s Role in Peace and Stability

ADDIS ABABA: High-ranking military officials attending the First African Defense Ministers Conference in Addis Ababa expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's efforts in promoting peace and stability across the continent. The conference, hosted by Ethiopia, attracted defense ministers and military officials from various African nations, underscoring Ethiopia's pivotal role in addressing Africa's challenges.According to Ethiopian News Agency, participants visited key national security institutions including the Information Network Security Administration, the Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission, and the National Intelligence and Security Service. Major General Henry Masiko of the Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces commended Ethiopia for its historical resilience against colonialism and its current initiatives to unite Africa in protecting its sovereignty. He highlighted the importance of Ethiopia's open-door policy, which facilitated the exchange of experiences in technology an d defense capabilities.Major General Ndegeya Diomede, Senior Advisor to the Burundian Ministry of Defense, emphasized Ethiopia's crucial role in fostering peace in the Horn of Africa and urged Ethiopia to continue assisting East African countries like Sudan and Somalia. He praised Ethiopia's advancements in artificial intelligence, suggesting that such progress could benefit other African nations.Brigadier Paul Njema, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, noted Ethiopia's significant contributions to peace and stability in East Africa, including Somalia. He recognized the potential for shared advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in telemedicine and agriculture, to improve regional food security.Zambian Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma lauded Ethiopia for organizing the conference and for its advancements in cybersecurity. He emphasized the importance of African nations developing their own cybersecurity systems to protect their digital spaces.The three-day conference, which con cluded on Thursday, highlighted Ethiopia's leadership in fostering cooperation and technological growth across the continent.