Ethiopian Federal Police, IGAD Forge Strategic Partnership to Cement Regional Security

Sandafa: The Ethiopian Federal Police and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening regional security cooperation across the Horn of Africa. The agreement was signed by Ethiopian Federal Police Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael and IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Commissioner General Demelash stated that this partnership marks an important step toward reinforcing regional peace and security. The agreement will enable Ethiopia to share its expertise and institutional experience from recent police reforms with fellow IGAD member states. The Ethiopian Police University will play a central role in regional capacity-building efforts, offering specialized training, research, and joint academic programs for law enforcement personnel throughout the region.The Commissioner General highlighted that the primary objective of this partnership is to promote regional peace and security by strengthening the professional capacity of law enforcement institutions through training, research, and collaborative studies. The MoU also establishes a framework for enhanced institutional cooperation and community policing, which is expected to improve the response to terrorism, organized crime, and other cross-border security challenges.IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu praised the Ethiopian Federal Police for its ongoing transformation and described the agreement as a milestone in advancing regional integration through enhanced security cooperation. He emphasized that this partnership will provide law enforcement officers in the IGAD region with access to world-class forensic training and strengthen regional security frameworks.The President of the Ethiopian Police University, Tamrat Mulugeta, added that the agreement will significantly enhance the professional capacity of regional security institutions through joint training programs and collabora tive research. The modernization of information-sharing systems is also expected to improve institutional resilience and support coordinated responses to emerging security challenges. The partnership aims to reinforce regional efforts to promote lasting peace, stability, and sustainable development.