Ethiopia and Angola have embarked on a collaborative initiative to enhance security and stability within the region. This comes after a meeting between Angola’s External Intelligence Service (SIE) and Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). The delegation from Angola, led by Director General Ambassador Matias Bertindo Matonda, arrived in Addis Ababa for a working visit.
During the discussions, Deputy Director General Tazer Gebre Egziabher provided insights into Ethiopia’s political, economic, and security reforms following the national transition. The talks focused on a range of critical issues, including the dynamics in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the activities of terrorist groups in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, and cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking from Luanda, Angola, to Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. Human trafficking and future cooperation in aviation security were also significant topics of discussion.
Deputy Director General Tazer emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving peaceful access to the sea, addressing how certain actors exploit this issue for propaganda, overlooking the broader realities. He noted that ensuring Ethiopia’s maritime access is vital for stabilizing the Horn of Africa and fostering economic integration in the region.
Ambassador Matonda reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties with the NISS, focusing on experience sharing, information exchange, and capacity building, given Ethiopia’s influential role in the region. He praised Ethiopia’s recent economic advancements and urban development initiatives, recognizing them as models for others to emulate.
The two agencies concluded their discussions by signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing collaboration in security and intelligence matters, ensuring a structured approach to information sharing and joint efforts in the future.