Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
“Defending a Nation, Navigating a Region: ENDF Chief Briefs Parliament on Red Sea Strategy and Regional Readiness”
Prepared by Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review & Tigray Herald in collaboration with
international security experts specializing in the Horn of Africa
Date: 12 June 2025
Location: Federal Parliamentary Complex, Addis Ababa
Classification: Public Affairs Briefing – Strategic Military Update
I. Executive Summary
In a landmark and highly anticipated session before the Ethiopian Federal Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee, His Excellency Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), provided a comprehensive and articulate briefing on the current geopolitical, military, and strategic environment confronting Ethiopia. The update focused on three core pillars:
- Red Sea access and regional maritime security,
- Internal stabilization operations, and
- The ENDF’s evolving role in Horn of Africa geopolitical dynamics.
His presentation signaled a renewed posture of national readiness, regional foresight, and
strategic patience amid a volatile Horn of Africa landscape. The event was marked by a rare, open Q&A session with MPs, reflecting a maturing tradition of civil-military dialogue,
transparency, and strategic clarity.
This document provides a full breakdown of the session and its implications, prepared by the editorial boards of the Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review and Tigray Herald, with insights from international security experts.
II. Strategic Narrative Headline
“The Path to the Sea Is Through Strategy, Not Sabres”: Ethiopia’s Military Doctrine Balances
Strength, Sovereignty, and Diplomacy
III. Full Update: Strategic Defence Briefing to Parliament
- Geopolitical Context: Navigating a Volatile Region
Field Marshal Birhanu began with an incisive geopolitical overview, stating “The Horn of Africa is no longer a static region it is the epicenter of a geopolitical earthquake. The Ethiopian Defence Force must not only react but anticipate, analyze, and strategically prepare to defend our interests without destabilizing the region further.” He highlighted the fragmentation of regional states, foreign interventions from Gulf nations, and the destabilizing agenda of the Eritrean regime, noting Eritrea’s militarization of border zones, its covert operations in Somalia and Sudan, and its persistent obstruction of Ethiopia’s peaceful ambitions to access the Red Sea.
- Internal Stabilization and National Security Operations
The Field Marshal reaffirmed that internal cohesion remains priority one. The ENDF is currently executing multi-domain stabilization operations in:
Oromia, where anti-state militant networks are being disbanded, Amhara, where rogue militias doesn’t pose any more existential threats to state authority, and Tigray, where remnants of politically-affiliated militias and corrupt networks disguised in military uniforms are being neutralized in coordination with the Tigray Interim Administration.
He praised the emerging generation of professionalized officers and acknowledged the civilian oversight mechanisms being established in Tigray, calling it a model for demilitarized democratic transition.
- Ethiopia’s Strategic Vision for Red Sea Access
Historical Framing
Birhanu contextualized Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations by reflecting on the post-1993 realities of losing direct access to the sea following Eritrea’s independence. “No great nation can remain landlocked without strategic consequences. Yet Ethiopia seeks the sea not through war, but through wisdom.”
Diplomatic Channels & Bilateral Engagement
The ENDF has been instructed to provide technical strategic input to ongoing diplomatic discussions with:
Djibouti, regarding expansion of port use and security corridors,
Somaliland, in possible economic partnership agreement
Sudan, where border fluidity and transit trade require re-securitization frameworks.
- Avoiding War, Preparing for Contingencies Despite increasing tensions with Eritrea, Field Marshal Birhanu made Ethiopia’s position clear:
“We are not preparing for war. We are preparing for security. If diplomacy fails, deterrence remains our shield—but not our sword.” He emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful resolution, but underlined the ENDF’s complete operational readiness should Eritrea or any external actor seek to militarize maritime negotiations or disrupt regional peace.
IV. Open Q&A: Highlights from Parliament
The Q&A session was a pivotal moment of the day, where committee members raised questions ranging from regional alliances to internal reform within the ENDF.
Key exchanges included:
By the federal Parliament foreign and defence select committee members
“How does the ENDF balance external preparedness with internal reform in regions like Oromia and Tigray?
Field Marshal Response:
“We’ve adopted a dual-theatre command doctrine one focused on external deterrence and one on internal stabilization. Regional commands are autonomous yet aligned under national doctrine. Reform is simultaneous, not sequential.”Another question by some members of the federal Parliament
“What measures are in place to purge ENDF leadership of corrupt elements, especially those sabotaging peace in Tigray?”
Field Marshal Response:
“We are cooperating with civilian oversight panels and the federal intelligence bureau. No
individual, regardless of rank, is above the code of service. We are cleansing the institution.”
V. Military Modernization and Strategic Posture
Field Marshal Birhanu updated the committee on key modernization initiatives, including Cyber defense and electronic warfare capabilities,Enhanced air force coordination with the drone command, Establishment of a Red Sea Strategic Monitoring Unit (RSSMU),Ongoing procurement of multinational logistics support systems and interoperability doctrine reviews with friendly regional states.He concluded by emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, including those with the African Union standby force, UAE strategic logistics corridor partners, and trusted Western allies for joint security operations.
VI. Message to the People of Ethiopia
“Our Defence Force belongs to the people, not to any political group. We are your shield. We
are your sword when peace is at risk. But more than anything, we are your servants in uniform.” Field Marshal Birhanu Jula
VII. Editorial Analysis and Expert Commentary
Dr. Almaz Tadesse (Horn Geopolitical Institute):
“This was the most strategically mature address by an ENDF chief in over a decade. Birhanu Jula is not just a commander, but a geopolitical thinker.”
Col. Michael Davison (Ret.) – U.S. AFRICOM Consultant:
“Ethiopia is demonstrating what modern African defence leadership can look like assertive, patient, and committed to rules-based diplomacy.”
Tigray Herald Editorial Team:
“The Chief of Staff’s openness to parliamentary scrutiny signals a new era of military accountability vital for Ethiopia’s transition to post-conflict governance.”
VIII. Closing Note and Strategic Forecast
The ENDF is undergoing a strategic evolution. Its focus is no longer just battlefield readiness, but geo-economic foresight, maritime diplomacy, and internal democratization of military culture. Ethiopia’s defense leadership is stepping forward with clarity, confidence, and commitment to national unity, regional stability, and international cooperation
Prepared by:
Horn of Africa Geopolitical Review & Tigray Herald Editorial Team
With expert contributions from regional analysts, military strategists, and international
geopolitical advisers.
