13 nations military training kicks off in Ethiopia

The two-week exercise will be financed by US, while Ethiopia provides venues and platforms for the drills. The contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Rwanda, and Uganda – are to be the focal participants.

US Army Africa Commanding General Roger L. Cloutier said at the launch of the exercise: “The drills mainly focus on enhancing the peacekeeping capabilities of AMISOM.”

“The exercise will be a venue for the command post, brigade-level military, and field medical trainings,” he said, adding: “Ethiopian and American forces will also hold joint drills in eastern Ethiopia.”

According to Brigadier General Habtamu Tilahun, deputy head of Peacekeeping Operations of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, the exercise would improve the peacekeeping capabilities, as well as “enhance the fighting prowess of AMISOM.”The drills also involved international organizations such as the UN and African Union, among others.

Minister of Defense), Major General Yimer Ali (Ethiopian National Defense Forces Representative) and Brigadier General Habtamu Tilahun ( Commander of the Ethiopian National Defense Force Peacekeeping Center and exercise co-director) 

From U.S. armed forces, Major General Roger Cloutier (U.S. Army Africa commanding general)  and Brigadier General Lapthe Flora (U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general and exercise co-director) were present. 

U.S Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor, made a remark during the ceremony.  

“we’re enormously grateful for Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to hosting and participating in this exercise,” he said.  He also extended his “sincere gratitude” to participating nations: Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Djibouti, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. 

DW Amharic reported that the number of participants is about 1100. 

Representatives of international organizations are also participating in the exercise.  

With regard to the motive of the training, DW Amharic reported that it aims to foster military skill and preparedness in  Eastern Africa – the part of Africa where Al-Shabab Militants are still a threat. 

Ambassador Michael Raynor described Ethiopia as “the world’s largest contributor to global peacekeeping forces, and an essential partner in security cooperation efforts in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.” 

The 16 days long military training has a field exercise component which will take place at the Ethiopian National Defense Force’s training center in Hurso which is close to Dire Dawa.

Officers from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, the UK, Canada, and Brazil are also participating in the exercises. AMISOM has been fighting the Somali militant group Al-Shabab since 2007.

The training is expected to happen every year.