ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, has urged senior military officers to prepare for what he described as the country’s “journey” to secure access to the sea, highlighting the strategic importance Addis Ababa places on obtaining maritime access.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 42 senior officers from the Ethiopian National Defense College, Berhanu said Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access would require capable and well-prepared military leaders able to address emerging strategic and security challenges.
He called on the graduates to apply the leadership skills and knowledge gained during their training as they take on new responsibilities within the country’s defense and security institutions. According to Berhanu, the Ethiopian National Defense Force is engaged in important preparatory efforts that demand commitment, professionalism, and readiness.
The ceremony was attended by senior government and military officials, including Dima Negewo, Chairperson of the Ethiopian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs, as well as top defense commanders.
National Defense College Commandant Brigadier General Tilahun Demissie said the institution has graduated 577 officers through its regular and short-term training programs since its establishment. He noted that the college continues to expand its academic, research, and strategic studies activities to support Ethiopia’s evolving defense and national security priorities.
Graduating officers said the program enhanced their understanding of the rapidly changing geopolitical environment in the Horn of Africa and strengthened their capacity to identify security threats and respond effectively to complex crises.
The graduating class included members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, civilian security institutions, and regional security agencies, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve coordination among Ethiopia’s security bodies.
Berhanu’s remarks come amid Ethiopia’s continued emphasis on securing sovereign access to the sea, a longstanding national objective that has become a central element of the country’s foreign and security policy. The issue has also attracted significant regional attention, particularly in the Horn of Africa, where discussions over maritime access and regional stability remain highly sensitive.
