Ethiopia’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, arrived in Rwanda on Sunday for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
On Monday, Field Marshal Jula was welcomed by his Rwandan counterpart, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, at the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Headquarters in Kimihurura, Gasabo District. The two held high-level talks focused on enhancing defence collaboration.
Later, the Ethiopian military chief and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, as part of the ongoing efforts to deepen strategic cooperation between Kigali and Addis Ababa.
The visit underscores the longstanding defence partnership between the two nations, which spans over two decades. This collaboration includes joint military training and has expanded in recent years to include cooperation between the countries’ police forces.
“This visit is a key opportunity to further solidify our defence relations and explore new areas of cooperation,” said a senior RDF official. “It reflects our shared commitment to regional peace and security.”
Field Marshal Jula’s visit follows a recent trip by Gen Muganga to Ethiopia in March 2025, during which the two countries signed a new military cooperation agreement.
Beyond defence, Rwanda and Ethiopia maintain strong bilateral ties in agriculture, trade, education, and aviation. In the past seven years, they have signed agreements on air transport, enabling seamless collaboration between RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines.
The two countries have also formalized cooperation in five key areas: politics and diplomacy, trade, sports, disaster management, and investment promotion.
During his visit, Field Marshal Jula is also expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and later tour the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
The visit is seen as a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to fostering regional stability and strengthening their multifaceted partnership.
