By HAN News Desk
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia and Zambia have signed a new military cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening defense ties and enhancing collaboration in training, modernization, security coordination, and military industry development.
The pact was endorsed by senior military officials from both countries, who described it as an important step toward promoting regional stability and improving the two nations’ defense capabilities. After the signing ceremony, top commanders said the agreement would open new avenues for joint capacity building and help establish long-term institutional cooperation between the armed forces of the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.
The accord also represents what officials called a new chapter in Horn–Southern Africa defense partnership, expanding Ethiopia’s security engagement beyond its immediate region.
Despite the official optimism, military analysts remain cautious about the agreement’s practical impact. Both Ethiopia and Zambia are developing countries with limited military technology, industrial capacity, and modernization infrastructure. Experts note that while the deal carries political significance, turning it into meaningful military gains may prove challenging. They point to the two countries’ financial constraints, underdeveloped defense industries, and differing security priorities as factors that could limit the partnership’s effectiveness.
Analysts argue that, for now, the agreement may function more as a diplomatic gesture than a transformative defense pact. Still, they acknowledge that symbolic alliances can help build confidence, support joint training efforts, and strengthen political ties between different African regions.
The Ethiopia–Zambia deal comes at a time when African states are increasingly seeking cross-regional partnerships to diversify their military cooperation and reduce reliance on traditional external partners. Whether the agreement will produce substantial military benefits remains uncertain, but observers say it reflects the broader efforts of both countries to expand their strategic networks amid shifting regional dynamics.
