Ethiopia's Defense Minister Praises ENDF's 'Courage and Resilience,' State Media Reports

Ethiopia's Defense Minister has commended the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) for its courage and resilience in overcoming challenges, according to the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

ENA's headline and summary did not say where or when the remarks were made, which challenges the minister was referring to, or whether the comments were delivered at a formal ceremony, during a visit to military units or at another official engagement. Addis Gazette was unable to review the full text of the ENA report and has not independently verified the content of the minister's statement.

A familiar theme in official messaging

Praise for the armed forces' perseverance is a recurring feature of Ethiopian government communication. Senior defense officials often use graduation ceremonies, anniversaries and command visits to emphasize the military's role in protecting national sovereignty and maintaining internal stability.

Such messaging also tends to accompany government efforts to present the ENDF as a professional institution undergoing reform. In recent years, officials have spoken of modernizing the force, improving training and strengthening its capacity.

A military under sustained strain

The ENDF has operated under considerable pressure over the past several years. Key developments include:

• The northern conflict: The war in the Tigray region, which began in November 2020, ended with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022 between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
• Fighting in Amhara: Since 2023, federal forces have been fighting Fano militias in the Amhara region, a conflict that has disrupted daily life and movement in parts of the region.
• Armed opposition in Oromia: Security operations have continued in parts of the Oromia region against the armed group that calls itself the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and that the government refers to as "Shene."
• Regional deployments: Ethiopian troops have served in Somalia for many years against the militant group al-Shabaab, including as part of African Union-led missions.

Human rights organizations and international observers have raised concerns about the conduct of several armed actors in these conflicts, including government forces. The government has generally rejected allegations of systematic abuses by the ENDF, saying that individual violations are investigated.

What remains unclear

Because only the headline and a brief summary of the ENA report were available, it is not known whether the minister announced any new policies, operational updates or institutional reforms alongside the praise for the troops. It is also unclear whether the remarks referred to a specific recent operation or to the military's performance more broadly.

Statements from the Ministry of Defense and state-affiliated outlets are often the main public source of information on military affairs in Ethiopia, where independent access to conflict areas remains limited.

Addis Gazette will update this report if further details about the minister's remarks become available.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency (state)