ENDF Strengthened through Reforms Undertaken Amid Complex Security Environment: Field Marshal Birhanu

Addis Ababa, July 4, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has been undertaking organizational reforms and modernization activities amid the increasingly complex regional and global security environment, ENDF Chief of Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula said.

The Ethiopian National Defense College (ENDC) has graduated today students trained in the field of Defense and Strategic Security Studies.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Field Marshal Birhanu said the ENDF has reinforced its unity, expanded its organizational structure through the ongoing reforms and maintained a high state of readiness while equipping itself with modern military equipment and technology.

 

These efforts have enabled the force to continue carrying out its mission of safeguarding Ethiopia's sovereignty, he added.

The Field Marshal also noted that Ethiopia's pursuit of maritime access requires maintaining strong readiness, describing the security situation in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa as worsening.

The ENDF cannot therefore escape either the challenges or the benefits arising from the region.

Field Marshal Birhanu further elaborated that external actors and domestic armed groups are working in tandem to undermine Ethiopia's security and prevent it from playing its stabilizing role in the region.

These actors are seeking to create turmoil in neighboring countries to increase pressure on Ethiopia's external security.

He pointed out that historical enemies and internal renegades have conspired to thwart Ethiopia's maritime sovereignty claim and the principle of regional cooperation by forming an alliance or what they termed "Tsimdo".

 

The heroic Ethiopian Defense Force is however protecting the country's sovereignty, peace and security by destroying the vain dreams of the conspirators and the external historical enemies, the Field Marshal stated.

Addressing the graduates, he said the nature of warfare is rapidly changing, with modern conflicts increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, cyber operations, electronic warfare, unmanned systems, and long-range precision weapons.

He urged the graduate officers to apply their education to strengthen the armed forces' preparedness and leadership capacity.

For his part, National Defense College Commandant Brigadier General Tilahun Demissie said the ENDC, established during the national reform, has been strengthening national power within a volatile strategic environment.

 

According to him, reform of the college's curriculum focused on defense studies, research, and security analysis, alongside efforts to transform the institution into a smart college through infrastructure upgrades and digitalization.