General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, is conducting a four-day official visit to Ethiopia to strengthen military ties and explore cooperation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industries.
During his visit, General Berrid held discussions with Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, and State Minister of Defense Martha Luigi. Both sides praised the progress of their growing military relations and agreed on a draft partnership framework set to be finalized soon.
The Moroccan general’s itinerary included visits to key Ethiopian institutions, such as the Cyber Security Directorate, the Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the Bishoftu Air Base, underlining the visit’s focus on expanding collaboration beyond traditional military sectors.
This visit builds on Field Marshal Birhanu Jula’s earlier trip to Morocco in August 2024, reflecting a shared commitment to deepen ties amid Ethiopia’s broader strategy of strengthening defense partnerships. In recent months, Ethiopia has also signed defense agreements with Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a deliberate move to diversify its security alliances across Africa and the Middle East.
General Berrid’s visit highlights the evolving nature of African military cooperation, where traditional defense engagements increasingly intersect with emerging technological domains critical to national security.