Rabat – Morocco and Ethiopia signed a military cooperation agreement today during a high-level visit to Rabat.
The Ethiopian Minister of Defense, Aysha Mohammed Mussa, led a senior delegation to Morocco, where she met with Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration.
The visit marks a new phase in the evolving partnership between the two countries.
Discussions revolved around a mutual desire to broaden cooperation beyond diplomatic pleasantries. The newly signed agreement lays the groundwork for concrete collaboration across a range of military sectors, from training and research to military healthcare and joint exercises.
The two sides agreed to establish a joint military commission to oversee this cooperation and to meet alternately in Rabat and Addis Ababa.
The meeting also brought together General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the Southern Zone, reflecting the depth of Morocco’s institutional commitment to the partnership.
For both countries, the deal is about positioning themselves as reliable contributors to peace and stability in Africa.
The two sides also acknowledged the broader context in which their cooperation takes place, a continent that continues to grapple with security challenges but also carries the weight of immense potential.
In that context, Morocco and Ethiopia see themselves as part of a generation of African states willing to take regional responsibility into their own hands.
The Moroccan side took the opportunity to share its experience with South-South cooperation, a policy Morocco has championed across several fields, and in turn, brought to the table its influence in East Africa and its aspirations for greater regional engagement.
Both countries expressed interest in regular visits, more active dialogue, and real on-the-ground cooperation.
