Uganda Military Chief Expresses Support for Ethiopia Army, Urges De-escalation

Uganda has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia, as renewed fighting raises concerns over the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and stability in the region.

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni, expressed support for the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) amid the latest escalation, while urging all parties to respect Ethiopia’s peace process and territorial integrity.

“UPDF expresses its support for our brothers in the Ethiopian National Defense Force in this latest eruption of fighting in northern Ethiopia,” Gen Muhoozi said.

“We call for an immediate cessation of the escalation and hostilities. We call for the respect and adherence to the Pretoria Peace Agreement. Ethiopia’s unity and sovereignty must be respected and protected by all.”

The Pretoria Agreement, formally known as the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities, was signed in November 2022 between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), bringing an end to the two-year war in Tigray.

Gen Muhoozi’s remarks were welcomed by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, who thanked the Ugandan military chief for expressing support for the ENDF and Ethiopia’s unity and sovereignty.

“Thank you for expressing your support for #ENDF and for Ethiopia’s unity and sovereignty,” Ambassador Etsegenet said.

She added that the Ethiopian government and people remain focused on nation-building and called for continued adherence to the Pretoria peace agreement.

“The government and people are focused on nation-building for a peaceful, prosperous, and dynamic Ethiopia and Africa at large. The Pretoria peace agreement must be respected,” she said.

CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (R) in a meeting with Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Uganda H.E Etsegenet Yimenu Bezabih recently

The exchange comes amid renewed tensions and reports of fighting in northern Ethiopia, reviving concerns about the durability of the peace arrangements that ended the Tigray war.

Uganda and Ethiopia maintain longstanding diplomatic and security ties, with both countries regularly engaging on regional peace, security and economic cooperation.

Gen Muhoozi’s statement places Uganda’s military leadership publicly behind the call for de-escalation while emphasising the principles of Ethiopia’s unity, sovereignty and implementation of the Pretoria agreement.