ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (BG) – The Fourth Ethiopia-Uganda Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting concluded on Friday in Addis Ababa, with the signing of important agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
Held on April 3–4, the high-level meeting brought together ministers, diplomats, and senior officials from Ethiopia and Uganda, culminating in the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that cover cooperation in aviation, trade, agriculture, energy, and the management of water resources.
In his remarks, Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos praised the positive atmosphere of the discussions and emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements to strengthen ties and promote regional stability.
Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar echoed the sentiment, describing the Fourth JMC as “another building block to propel our bilateral relations to greater heights.”
He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to working closely with Ethiopia to advance mutual interests across key sectors.
Throughout the two-day meeting, participants discussed various strategic issues, including diplomatic consultations, transboundary water management, regional peace and security, and enhancing collaboration in trade, immigration, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
Explore New Areas of Cooperation
Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu emphasized the significance of the Fourth Joint Ministerial Commission meeting as an opportunity to review the status of existing agreements, explore new areas of cooperation, and strengthen bilateral ties.
She highlighted the shared interests between Ethiopia and Uganda, particularly in managing transboundary resources and collaborating within regional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union.
The ambassador also noted the strong coordination between the Ethiopian embassies in Kampala and Addis Ababa in preparing for the session, expressing optimism about the agreements expected to be signed.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, highlighted the JMC’s role in reviewing progress, addressing emerging challenges, and identifying new areas for cooperation.
Ambassador Richard Kabonero, head of regional economic cooperation at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Uganda’s commitment to strengthening economic and political partnerships.
Officials from both countries lauded the constructive spirit that characterized the negotiations, signaling a shared determination to foster deeper collaboration for the benefit of both nations.
