ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia must continue its pivotal role in assisting nations across East and Horn Africa to achieve peace, stressed former ATMIS Commander Major General Ndegeya Diomede. This call for continued leadership in regional stability was made during the First African Defense Ministers Conference hosted by Ethiopia, which drew defense ministers, senior military officials, and researchers from across the continent.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, participants at the conference expressed admiration for Ethiopia’s willingness to share its experiences in security and defense. Major General Diomede highlighted Ethiopia’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), suggesting that these developments could significantly benefit other African nations. He encouraged Ethiopia to help its neighbors in the Horn of Africa and the East African Standby Force overcome security threats through AI innovations.
General Diomede, who currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Burundian Ministry of Defense and has pr
eviously led the ATMIS forces, underscored the potential of AI in combating threats like al-Shabaab and international terrorism. He emphasized Ethiopia’s historical role in aiding regional peace efforts, urging the nation to continue supporting countries like Sudan and Somalia in their quest for stability.
Brigadier General Paul Njema, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, noted Ethiopia’s crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in the Eastern African region, particularly in Somalia. He reflected on Ethiopia’s significant sacrifices over the past two decades, which include deploying troops, providing military intelligence, and offering capacity-building support to combat terrorism and help restore governance in Somalia.
General Njema further elaborated on the regional challenges, extending from the Somali Peninsula to Mozambique, and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing maritime concerns critical to trade routes. He acknowledged Ethiopia’s sustained contributions to re
gional peacekeeping and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing issues in Sudan, where many people remain displaced.
The conference participants recognized the event’s significance in uniting African defense leaders responsible for their nations’ security. They commended the inspirational visits to various security institutions and praised Ethiopia’s defense capabilities, which fostered cooperation and experience-sharing in the defense sector.
