French Army to Host African Defence Summit in Addis Ababa on November 27–28

A high-level defence summit initiated by the French Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre Schill, will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 27 and 28. The event aims to strengthen military cooperation between France and several African nations.

According to defence sources, the summit will feature a “speed-dating” session where French defence companies will meet with around 15 African chiefs of staff to discuss potential partnerships, arms deals, and training opportunities.

Among those expected to attend are General Chérif Ousmane, Chief of Staff of the Ivorian Land Army; General Olufemi Oluyede from Nigeria; General Simon Ndour from Senegal; and General Abou Issa from Benin.

In addition, General Saly Mohamadou from Cameroon, General Berhanu Jula from Ethiopia, General David Ketter from Kenya, General Kayanja Muhanga from Uganda, and General Vincent Nyakarundi from Rwanda are also expected to participate.

The summit highlights France’s ongoing efforts to redefine its military engagement in Africa, particularly as Paris seeks to rebuild trust and cooperation with African armed forces following recent withdrawals from several Sahel countries.

In recent years, France and Ethiopia have expanded their defence cooperation, focusing on naval development, military training, and intelligence sharing. A defence agreement signed in 2019 laid the foundation for French support in rebuilding Ethiopia’s naval forces and enhancing its air defence capabilities. Paris has also provided technical expertise and equipment to the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), signaling a broader French interest in the security of the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa region.