The Ethiopian News Agency published on 21 August 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia, US Agree to Establish Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation in Defense, Security."
Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at Ethiopia's Ministry of Defense, led a high-level delegation to the United States on 19-20 August. During a meeting at the US Department of Defense with the deputy assistant secretary for African affairs he said the two sides agreed that a "comprehensive and strategic partnership" will guide the future security relationship between the two countries.
Comment: So far, there has been no confirmation from the US side that a "comprehensive and strategic partnership" has been established with Ethiopia, although there has clearly been an improvement in the security relationship. This is not language normally used by the United States to describe close security relationships with other countries. The US has given "Major Non-NATO Ally Status" to 19 countries, which is a powerful symbol of the close relationship it shares with those nations. The only countries in Africa so designated are Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya.
